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Qualitative Face Fit Testing

Course Duration:
One Day
Format:
In-Person
Location:
Stoneleigh Park
Home > Training Courses > Utility & Construction Training > Qualitative Face Fit Testing

Course Overview

The Qualitative Face Fit Testing course provides essential training to ensure that tight-fitting respirators, including disposable FFP masks and reusable half masks, provide an adequate seal to the wearer’s face. This is a critical health and safety requirement under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations and a fundamental part of any robust respiratory protective equipment (RPE) programme.

This practical, hands-on course can be tailored depending on your booking type: delegates can either undergo a personal face fit test for compliance purposes or learn to perform qualitative face fit tests on others. Testing is conducted by a qualified Fit 2 Fit Tester using standard protocols.

The course is suitable for individuals requiring a personal fit test, health and safety professionals conducting in-house testing, and employers who need to ensure staff are correctly fitted with tight-fitting respirators. It is relevant across construction, healthcare, manufacturing, utilities, and other sectors where exposure to dusts, fumes, or hazardous vapours occurs.

Course Duration:
One Day
Format:
In-Person
Location:
Stoneleigh Park
Book Course

Certification Awarded

Face Fit Certificate Competency, Certificate for those trained to test others

Valid for

Awarding Body

Who should Attend This Course

This course is suitable for:

Individuals requiring a personal face fit test for site access or regulatory compliance
Employers looking to ensure their staff are properly fitted with tight-fitting respirators
Health and safety professionals seeking to perform in-house face fit tests
Construction, manufacturing, utilities, and healthcare workers exposed to hazardous dusts or vapours

Prerequisites

  • Delegates must be clean shaven and not eaten or smoked for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to being face tested.
  • Good understanding of spoken and written English.

What To Have With You To Attend The Course

Assessment

Course Content

By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:

  • Understand legal requirements for RPE face fit testing under UK legislation
  • Identify different types of respirators and when testing is required
  • Perform or receive a qualitative face fit test using bitter or sweet solutions
  • Record, interpret, and report results accurately
  • Apply best practice for RPE maintenance, wearer training, and ongoing compliance

Delegates will gain a clear understanding of qualitative face fit testing and RPE requirements through theory and practical exercises.

Key topics include:

  • Introduction to COSHH and the importance of RPE in workplace safety
  • Overview of respirator types, selection criteria, and limitations
  • Principles and methodology of qualitative fit testing (bitter/sweet challenge agents)
  • Sensitivity Test and Fit Test procedures following the seven-exercise protocol (INDG 479)
  • Fit test equipment, test agent preparation, and correct usage
  • Troubleshooting poor fits, including the impact of facial hair and incorrect donning
  • Documentation, record-keeping, and compliance reporting
  • Hands-on practical: either supervised personal fit test or training to perform tests on others (Train-the-Tester option)

Course Options

  • Individual Face Fit Test: For delegates requiring certification to wear RPE on-site
  • Train-the-Tester: For health and safety staff or supervisors who will perform in-house face fit tests

Both options include a certificate or report for each attendee, confirming successful completion.

  • Certification Validity: Face fit tests should be repeated at least every two years, or sooner if the wearer changes their mask type, facial features, or experiences significant weight change.
  • #Delegate Requirements: Individuals undergoing a personal face fit test must be clean-shaven in the face seal area to ensure an accurate, compliant result.
  • Standards & Guidance: Training and testing follow HSE recommendations, including INDG 479 and the Fit2Fit competency framework.
  • Equipment Provided: All test hoods, nebulisers, and challenge agents (bitter/sweet) are supplied for the duration of the course.

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