Can anyone confirm which face fit test should be used for face fit testing for asbestos essentials (non licensed) work? I have read up on the subject and I’m lead to believe that Quantitative testing should be used for ALL asbestos work? Any constructive advice would be gratefully received. Regards

Legislation The requirements for Face Fit Testing are described in the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) supporting: • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 • The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 • The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 Where it is recommended that fit testing be carried out as part of the PRE initial selection process to ensure that the selected RPE has the potential to provide adequate protection. COSHH The extracts below are taken from the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, 2002 (as amended): COSHH (2002), Regulation 7, Prevention or control of exposure to substances hazardous to health. Guidance, paragraph 149, “The performance of RPE with a tight-fitting facepiece depends on a good contact between the wearer’s skin and the face seal of the mask. A good face seal can only be achieved if the wearer is clean shaven in the area of the face seal and the facepiece is of the correct size and shape to fit the wearer’s face…… ” ACOP, paragraph 150, “Employers should ensure that the selected facepiece (tight and loose fitting type) is of the right size and can correctly fit each wearer. For a tight-fitting facepiece (filtering facepieces usually known as disposable masks, half and full face masks) the initial selection should include fit testing to ensure the wearer has the correct device. The test will assess the fit by determining the degree of face seal leakage of a test agent while the RPE user is wearing the facepiece under test…..” ACOP, paragraph 151, “Repeat testing will be needed when changing to a different model of RPE or a different sized facepiece of is there have been significant changes to the facial characteristics of the individual wearer, eg as a result of significant weight gain or loss or due to dentistry….” HSG 53 Health and Safety Guidance Note No. 53, “The Selection Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment,” 2004, paragraph 52 states, “You should ensure that the wearers of tight fitting facepieces have undergone facepiece testing. This is needed to ensure that the selected facepiece can fit the wearer correctly. You should use facepiece testing as a tool to show consequences to performance of poor fitting and misuse. It is also a good tool for screening out incompatible RPE…” HSE OC 282/28 This updated 2 part Operational Circular, “Fit Testing of Respiratory Protective Equipment Facepieces”, gives practical advice on the inspection of the suitability of RPE fit testing methods and the meaning of the results generated. This means QUANTITATIVE fit testing (QNFT), with an instrument such as a "Porta-count" machine Rodger Ker