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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
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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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