Case Studies - Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Fit Testing

No RPE can provide optimum performance if it leaks, and one of the main sources of leakage is poor fit of the mask on the face. As a result of both field and laboratory studies into respirator performance, guidance on regulations (such as the Control of Asbestos at Work regulations) and general HSE guidance on the use of RPE (HSG53) now strongly recommend that fit testing is included as an integral part of an RPE programme.

The best time to conduct fit testing is at the initial selection stage, when individual users should be given a choice of suitable models of RPE. This is the approach adopted by HSE. HSL was asked to identify a range of suitable power assisted respirators, to assist individual inspectors in their selection, to confirm that their chosen mask was a good fit and that they could put it on correctly. Fit testing was carried out according to one of the methods specified in European Standards - using a gaseous tracer (SF6) to detect leaks.

Similarly, HSE has adopted an alternative quantitative fit testing method (Portacount) for lower performance devices (half mask respirators and filtering facepieces) following an evaluation by HSL. All HSE field staff are fit tested using this approach, as part of the selection process for this type of RPE.

In support of HSE's guidance, and to promote good practice in industry, HSL has now extended its capabilities in this area by building and commissioning a mobile fit testing laboratory. For high-performance RPE, HSL's mobile laboratory allows fit testing of personnel at the user's premises using the highly sensitive SF6 method from European Standards. For less critical applications HSL can also provide the simpler Portacount fit testing method.

  Back to the top