Face fit testing for full face RPE needs to be quantitative but there is a paragraph from the HSE website (http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/fittesting.pdf) that says this:
"Where the employer’s risk assessment clearly demonstrates that the RPE is being employed for ‘comfort’ rather than as a control measure, then fit testing is not required."

We use RPE as a back up to LEV etc. ie as the last line of defence and in many situations, full face respirators are specified, not because of the protection factor needed but because they fit more comfortably with a safety eyewear requirement for the same tasks. Is this a "comfort" issue that negates the need for quantitative testing. We would still carry out qualitative testing (we use half face repirators as well in other areas).

Thanks Steve. I take you point re longer term wearing of RPE, but the tasks undertaken are short term with a maximum duration of <1 hour and, to be honest, the persons involved just prefer the full face mask as opposed to combination of RPE + eye protection. So the question still remains, quantitative or qualitative face fit?

HSE rely too much on quantitative testing of RPE; this tells you that the mask provides a protective factor of x if worn correctly. Quantitative testing of RPE is effectively type testing, especially when the mask being tested is a stock mask and not the one issued to the user. Quantitative testing does not tell you whether the mask is being worn correctly - if the mask is not being worn correctly then there is either no or reduced protection - this is where qualitative testing comes into its own as it can be carried out by the user to ensure that the mask is fitted and working.

Regards

P.S. If RPE is being used to back up RPE it is not being worn for comfort!