Our clients make it a requirement, so we have to do it. My problem with it is, the guys have to be clean shaven to do the face fit test, if they are not then they cannot do the test. But as you all know guys on site dont shave every day.

Sorry forgot to spell check - measures.

The purpose of the test is to ensure fit. You cannot show people how to wear correctly a mask that does not fit!

If you have a cutting machine which has a blade guard when would you allow it be used without the guard? I hope most people have shouted never - we don't look at someone using a machine for a short time being exempt from the guarding. So I ask my question again why have face masks been specified? If they are a control measure for a real hazard then they should be worn at all time by all staff who are exposed and they have to be worn affectedly so no shave no work. The need for a mask will come from your COSHH assessment which should be based on hazard, exposure time etc. If you don't want to face fit or send unshaven people home go back to your assessment and see if adequate control can be provided in some other way.

They should not be clean shaven - they should have their normal level of facial hair, otherwise, what's the point? You could of course REQUIRE them to be clean shaven..........................

If your using it to protect against a hazard rather than a nuisance then yes you are required to do fit testing. You also need to ensure your policies align with your testing regime and that means clean shaven. Don't even bother testing anyone with stubble or a beard as you probably won't get a pass and even if you do whose to say the next days growth won't change that pass to a fail. You need to ensure that the requirement to wear RPE is clearly communicated and the standards set in stone.

Thank you for all the helpful responses. The feeling is very much to my own opinion on this and i will now have to go down the route of implementing a policy which will allow me to ensure compliance and fulfill the duty of care.

www.hse.gov.uk/foi/inter...od/oc/200-299/282_28.pdf Apart from anything else the hse are tightening thier specification on who can provide a fit test. The have to be competent read on,

Recently has a similar issue and had to deal with face fit tests. As earlier pointed out HSE Gudiance (think it was HSG53??) is a good starting point and should give you the key guidance.

I'm too busy for anything but a quick reply... dealt with all these issues - worked with an aggressive carcinogen - old skool advice was NEVER shave before a shift as shaving cuts presented a significant risk of ulceration! (that was a fun chat with the inspector... no real answer was ever given!) Facefit carried out for all - (as for carcinogens the duty is to reduce risk SFARP not just below the WEL!) Our stores guys issued ALL masks to contractors to ensure correct spec for job at induction. records were maintained so we knew everyone had been fit tested. We tested with normal beard growth and (as stated above) found even a few days growth didn't make much difference to most people. What did make a difference was some people face shape and no amount of shaving or adjusting could get a good fit! These people (and others who couldn't wear tight fitting) were issued with loose fitting RPE. Job done Some people appear to make life as complicated as possible on these forums, it's far to easy to provide a reason for not doing anything. And let's not forget PPE is at the bottom of the hierarchy anyway!!!! If the risk is high - control will be higher - is this not the whole point of SFARP? I also often see RPE used for comfort - dust can be a nuisance but does not exceed the WEL! - Also seen full LEV but operators want to masks - again no where near the WEL....