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Anneliese1973  
#1 Posted : 25 January 2016 12:03:39(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Anneliese1973

Hi

I'm relatively new to H&S and have been tasked with researching the above requirement. My query is that, after having had air quality testing carried out within our (adhesive) spray booth area (water-based DCM free spray adhesive), we were advised that RPE was not required to be mandatory (providing the booths are regularly maintained). We also carry out annual lung function testing on production staff.
However, an external consultant recently asked us what our contingency plans were, should we have a failure on the spray booths and suggested that we face-fit all our staff just incase.
Can anyone provide any advice as to whether there is a requirement to face-fit test, under the circumstances?
A Kurdziel  
#2 Posted : 25 January 2016 12:15:13(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

Contingency plans- hate those words!
people tend to conflate two things when they mention these, an emergency response plan and business continuity.
In the case of the cabinets, the emergency response, if they were to fail would be get everybody out of the area and switch it all off. You would only need RPE if you needed to get back in to the area to fix something for example(so perhaps the repair guys need RPE).
I don’t think RPE have any role to play in a business continuity situation: you should not be using cabinets until the main controls (ie the air extraction) is fixed.
Anneliese1973  
#3 Posted : 25 January 2016 12:22:40(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Anneliese1973

Hi A

Thanks for your response - We only have 3 spray booths in the production dept, which are used for larger pieces of spraying or batch spraying. Smaller amounts of spraying can be carried out by individuals at their benches, using spray cans (DCM free). At present, providing only small quantities of spraying is done with cans (at benches), RPE is not required - However were the booths to stop working, its likely in the interim, we would ask the guys to spray more using the cans at their benches. Its this scenario where they may be likely to need to wear RPE - But this wouldn't be an everyday situation, which was why I questioned the need for face-fit testing.
Kate  
#4 Posted : 25 January 2016 12:26:00(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

The requirement for face fit testing isn't related to the frequency of use. For the RPE to be used at all, it would have to be face fit tested first.
Ron Hunter  
#5 Posted : 25 January 2016 12:51:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter

There would seem to be a fundamental flaw in the argument. In the event of failure of controls, you plan to revert to PPE only and keep something near like-for-like production going?

IMO that just doesn't compute.
Redders  
#6 Posted : 26 January 2016 11:24:47(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Redders

You may need to consider the need for RPE in dealing with spillages, uncontrolled release etc. if stated on the safety data sheet and as part of your COSHH assessment. If so and a tight fitting mask used then it would need to be face fit tested.
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