Fit Testing guidance
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations include a requirement that RPE should be both adequate against the hazard and suitable for the wearer. In order to ensure suitability to an individual wearer, the initial selection process for all tight-fitting facepieces should include a fit test. Tight-fitting facepieces include all filtering facepieces (FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 disposables), half masks and full face masks. This includes negative pressure devices, power-assisted devices, and self-contained or air-fed breathing apparatus.
HSE Fit Testing Guidance INDG 479
In April 2019, HSE’s Fit Testing Information Document HSE282/28 was replaced by a new guidance document, INDG 479. This new guidance covers qualitative, quantitative (ambient particle counting) and quantitative (controlled negative pressure) fit testing methods, techniques and protocols including practical aspects, records and theory. In following HSE guidance employers will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.
Download INDG 479 here from the HSE website (PDF)
Fit2Fit Companions
Alongside the launch of the new INDG 479 guidance, Fit2Fit launched the ‘Companion Series’ of Fit2Fit guidance documents. These companions complement HSE INDG 479 and give further practical advice to fit testers about the application of the various fit test methods. There are three separate companions to cover: qualitative fit testing, quantitative (ambient particle counting) and quantitative (controlled negative pressure). These companions are available to download from the Fit2Fit website using the links below.
Download the Fit2Fit Companion for Qualitative Fit Testing
Download the Fit2Fit Companion for Ambient Particle Counting (Portacount)
Download the Fit2Fit Companion for Controlled Negative Pressure
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