Posted By Roger Uncles We are currently conducting site wide fit testing for some 4,500 employees using the portacount equipment.We are achieving the fit factors on full and half face mask but with regards to P3 disposables we have a 98% failure rate, has anybody expericenced this? HSE guidelines HSE 282/28 set the FF at 100 on the disposables OSHA in America set their FF at 25. Yes we could carry Qualitative fit testing but we are relaying on the persons senses and difficult to audit.Views please

Posted By Ron Hunter Can't speak for using portacount for quantitive fit test of disposables FFP3 or otherwise, but the qualitative testing does allow for a fair degree of confidence, as those being tested are initially tested for their sensitivity to the test aerosols (sweet and bitter) before testing - you'll know whether or not your people are going to detect the aerosols before you do the qualitative fit test. It is also very difficult to hide exposure to the bitter test aerosol - it's particularly unpleasant and difficult to avoid screwing your face up (Using 'bitrex' type product, very similar to that sold to stop people chewing their nails). Generally considered highly unlikely that people won't detect one or other of the sweet / bitter products.