Why do our customers choose us?
If your team relies on tight-fitting respiratory masks, the law requires each mask to be fit tested to the individual wearing it. A mask that leaks offers little real protection, and without a valid fit test on record you can’t prove to an inspector, a client or a principal contractor that your people are properly protected. Face fit testing closes that gap. It confirms the mask seals correctly on each person, and it gives you the written evidence you need to meet your statutory duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and the PPE Regulations.
Qualitative face fit testing (QFFT) gives you documented proof that your respiratory protective equipment (RPE), including half mask respirators and disposable face masks, actually fits the people wearing it.
That’s where Acorn comes in. Acorn Health & Safety is a leading provider of health and safety training and consultancy in the South West. Our trainers and consultants come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and bring considerable, hands-on practical experience, which shows in our grounded, pragmatic approach. Our customers come from an equally diverse range of organisations, but they choose Acorn for the same reason: we keep you on the right side of the law while recognising that health and safety has to complement your day-to-day business, not get in its way.
Been told you need a face fit test as an individual?
You don’t need to be booking on behalf of a company to get tested. If you’ve been told by an employer, an agency or a site that you can’t start work until you’ve passed a face fit test, you can come to us directly.
Individual face fit testing is £45 + VAT, available same day at our premises in Warmley, Bristol. A test usually takes around 30 minutes per person, so you can be in, tested and on your way with the certificate your employer or contractor needs.
The process is exactly the same as for our business clients: an initial sensitivity check followed by practical exercises, and you’ll leave with the written certificate confirming you’ve been fit tested for your mask.
Contact us to book a slot that suits you.
How do we approach qualitative face fit testing (QFFT)?
We can test your team on-site as a group, or individuals can visit our premises in Warmley, Bristol, whichever suits you best.
Each test starts with an initial sensitivity check, followed by a series of practical exercises designed to mimic the movements your employees make while wearing RPE in real working conditions. This makes sure the seal holds up in practice, not just while standing still.
Sometimes an individual will fail a fit test. In most cases, this comes down to the physical shape of the mask not matching the wearer’s face. If that happens, we’ll recommend suitable alternatives that are readily available from a range of safety equipment suppliers, so nobody is left without protection.
How often should you repeat face fit testing?
As a general rule, testing should be repeated regularly, and always if the wearer:
- gains or loses weight
- undergoes significant dental work
- develops facial changes such as scarring or moles within the facial seal area
Company policies vary, with retesting intervals ranging from one to three years depending on the level of risk your employees are exposed to. We advise repeating testing at least every two years. As well as keeping your records current, this gives you a regular opportunity to review the type of RPE your team is wearing and reinforce good practice around wearing, fitting, storage and general use.
What should you expect from Acorn Health & Safety?
You’ll receive written evidence and a certificate confirming that your employee, or employees, have been fit tested for a particular type of mask.
As well as satisfying a number of your legal duties, this is exactly the kind of evidence increasingly requested by construction management companies and principal contractors, so it can help you win and keep work, not just pass an inspection.
Acorn Health & Safety provides training and consultancy across first aid, fire safety, food safety, manual handling, healthcare training and health and safety.
We offer a wide variety of accredited or tailor-made courses, delivered either in-house or as open programmes. In-house courses are the most cost-effective option if you have a number of staff to train, and in many cases, we can adapt them to reference your own local policy, practice and documentation. We can deliver these at any suitable venue, or you can hire our purpose-built training centre in Warmley, Bristol, whichever works best for you.
We also run a rolling programme of open courses, which suit individuals, organisations with only a few delegates, or anyone looking to release small groups of staff at a time.
Contact us to talk through your training needs and we’ll advise the most suitable and cost-effective solution for you.
For other courses, relevant to your industry or sector please see our industry information page, alternatively we have found that people requiring face fit testing also attend:
- IOSH Managing Safely – HS05
- IOSH Working Safely – HS06
- Asbestos E-learning
- Working at Height
- Construction E-learning Courses – EL23 / EL30 / EL41
- CDM Awareness (EL23) – IIRSM
- Electrical Safety (EL30) – IIRSM
- Noise Awareness (EL41) – IIRSM