Rank: Super forum user
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We have some care workers who occasionally have to wear disposable type masks when assisting clients. The issue of face fit testing has arisen and I have had conflicting answers, hence the query here. Do care workers who may occasionally have to don a disposable type mask whilst assisting and caring for elderly people who could, for example, have C.Diff or norovirus etc need to undergo face fit testing. I would be particularly interested in hearing what people who are in the care industry do with their care workers. Thanks in advance.
Edited by user 19 October 2017 10:20:33(UTC)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi, Chas. We're an Acute NHS Trust. We have flu on the horizon and we're doing all our HCWs.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If your COSHH assessment says that you need RPE then that RPE requires face fit testing. I am surprised that you are using RPE in relation to norovirus and Clostridium difficile since neither is a respiratory agent
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thanks for the replies so far. Some of our staff may need to wear disposable masks for a number of reasons, as well as incidentally as part of an overall protection package for infection control etc. It can also provide some peace of mind to the wearer who may have to deal with difficult situations. The issue now is whether or not they all need to undergo face fit testing. I think the answer to that is becoming clearer to me, although I am interested in the experiences of others.
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Rank: Forum user
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Yes, all workers who are required to wear close fitting RPE are required to be face fit tested for the specific type of RPE provided to them
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Rank: Super forum user
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And the RPE is being used as a control measure for?
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Rank: Super forum user
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And the RPE is being used as a control measure for?
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In response to Roundtuit's question, the disposable RPE may be worn to prevent contaminants/viruses etc from entering the care worker's mouth. Care staff may, for example, choose to wear disposable RPE to help prevent themselves inadvertently or sub-consiously touching their mouth whilst clearing up bodily fluids, which may or may not be infected. It may be that an elderly client has a virus that could be spread via saliva/mucous or sneezes etc and the care worker wishes to protect themselves, or give themselves peace of mind. Whether or not these types of activity require a formal face fit test to be done is one question that we are looking to answer.
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Rank: Super forum user
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So when you say disposable are these more like a surgeons mask (similar to those worn by commuters in footage of commuters in the far east?) If so then by design there is no seal ergo no face-fit Think disposable may be being read as the typical dust mask
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Rank: Super forum user
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So when you say disposable are these more like a surgeons mask (similar to those worn by commuters in footage of commuters in the far east?) If so then by design there is no seal ergo no face-fit Think disposable may be being read as the typical dust mask
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Rank: Forum user
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As others have said, RPE requires a face fit test
Going by your description of use, they don't sound like RPE to me. Why would care workers need respirators?
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Indeed, this is where some of the confusion in my world seems to lie.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Surgical masks are not RPE. They are intended to protect the patient from the medical worker. As noted they do not form a seal around the face ergo they do not need face fit testing.
Still not convinced that you need face masks for the hazards you mentioned. Who did the original assessment? We are not talking about Ebola. Surely good hygiene is a better approach.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Good hygiene is of paramount importance, of course, however if someone chooses to wear a mask as an option and as a last line of defence and/or in order to prevent something (eg bodily fluids) from entering the mouth, then it begs the question about us then having to do the face fit test. Whilst we are not talking ebola here, we do have to consider things like Hep A and others. Hence the question, both on this forum and in my workplace.
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Rank: Super forum user
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and fluid transmission through eye contact? quite a lot of the surgical mask providers have a variant with a wrap around eye shield
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Rank: Super forum user
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and fluid transmission through eye contact? quite a lot of the surgical mask providers have a variant with a wrap around eye shield
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Rank: Super forum user
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Your questions and responses all seem to indicate that the use of the masks is not mandatory and is for reassurance or comfort. As such no face fit test is required.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Chas
Consult you OccHealth Dr/ local authority for guidance. A
lot of them recommend surgical mask IR or IIR for flu within 3 feet and FFP3 with eye protection when dealing with aerosol generating procedures.
If you’re looking at Influenza, Droplet Transmission Droplets
greater than 5 microns in size may be generated from the respiratory tract
during coughing, sneezing or talking. If droplets from
an infected person come into contact with the mucous
membranes of the mouth or nose, or surface of the eye they can cause infection.
These droplets remain in the air for a short time and travel about 1metre, so
closeness is required for transmission.
The Airborne Route During and after Aerosol Generating
Procedures these can produce droplets less than 5 micron in size. These small
droplets can remain in the air, travel more than one metre from the source and
still be infectious, either by inhalation or mucous membrane contact.
AGPs
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
bronchoscopy
surgery and post mortem procedures in which high-speed
devices are used to open the respiratory track
dental procedures
non-invasive ventilation (NIV) e.g. bi-level positive
airway pressure ventilation (BiPAP) and continuous positive airway pressure
ventilation (CPAP)
high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV)
induction of sputum.
suctioning.
If you search for Fluid resistant surgical mask and EN14683
type IR and IIR are splash resistant of blood and bodily fluids.
A surgical mask doesnt need Face Fit Testing a FFP3 or FFP2 does need Face Fit Testing.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I work in the social care environment and on occasions when conducting risk assessment I will insist on disposable masks or face shields. For example, where there is a risk of projectile vomit or directed spitting. These disposable masks do-not need face fitting, as they are not protecting against dust. It has to be noted that Standard Infection Protocols (SIP) must be followed at all times when dealing with Blood Bourn Viruses (BBV) and most biological agents. Point of note: Norovirus and C Diff can defiantly be airborne and breathed in, transmitting the virus from person to person.
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