Morning, 

Im one of three face fit testers at my workplace, however i've reluctantly refused to test as the company is passing employyes with beards and heavy stubble. We work in the construction sector and are using JSP disposable  masks.

I understand the legal/moral position, but dont share my employees rather poor attitude to  an extremely important procedure. I'm also ex Army so can be strict when it comes to procedures.

Do you feel im being unreasonable?, i estimate 15 have been passed under current testing conditions.

Beard or stubble in the area of the seal disqualifies the wearer from even having a face fit test in the first place, and invalidates the use of a close fitting mask.

These tests should not be taking place and the results are not valid.

I raised the very same question some years ago on this forum and the most helpful point that someone made was that just because the droplets containing the taste compound don't get through, doesn't mean that the actual hazardous materials you want to protect from (not usually in droplet form) don't get through.