QNFT Single Use TrainingNew Fit Testers

Theory- Why do we Fit Test?- Respirators?- The Quantitative Method

Practical- Preparation- The Fit Test- Record Keeping

Documentation- Certificate- Delegate Pack

Agenda

• Experts in RPE with a team of field based RPE specialists delivering education, support and training

• Offer a complete range of RPE products to ensure that 100% of staff are protected against all respiratory hazards

• The market leader in healthcare and working with the majority of NHS Trusts, private groups and community workers across the UK

About Full Support Healthcare

• Understand HSE guidance around RPE andface fit testing

• Fit test colleagues in your area with PortaCount® and Easimask®

• Log and maintain accurate Fit Testing records• Inform you of recent updates to HSE guidelines• Provide a training course to ensure you leave

competent, confident and safe • Ongoing support and guidance

Working in Partnership

Why do we Fit Test?

• To protect the individuals health and safety• It is a legal requirement• To ensure that the selected RPE is

adequate and suitable – to keep you safeAdequate RPE is right for the hazard and reduces exposure to the level required to protect the wearer’s health.Suitable RPE is right for the wearer, task and environment, such that the wearer can work freely and without additional risks due to the RPE.

• Each specific model of respirator needs to be fit tested

Why do we Fit Test

There is an extensive list of AGPs, please refer to your own trust policy

Who should wear a respirator?

• The HSE requires RPE Fit Testing to be conducted by a competent person.

• To be competent a person should have adequate knowledge, adequate instruction and adequate training – covering the 16 areas of competency covered in the HSE INDG 479.

• By the end of this course you will be competent, confident and compliantin Qualitative Fit Testing.

Competence

Understanding Respirators

Surgical Mask Respirator RPE Mask

Surgical Mask vs Respirator Mask

FFP1 & FFP2 are available but the NHS has standardized to FFP3

FFP3 Respirators: • Protect against 99.95% of particulate matter.• They also protect against solid and liquid

aerosols. • FFP3 masks are suitable for handling

hazardous powders, such as those found in the pharmaceutical industry, respiratory bacteria and viruses.

Filtering Face Pieces

Unvalved respirators filter inhaled and exhaled particles, protecting both the wearer and the people they come into contact with.HSG53

NR

NR

Protection with Unvalved Masks

Protection with Valved Masks

NR

Valved respirators filter against inhaled particles but not against particles that are exhaled, protecting only the wearer. HSG53

NR

Reusable respirators

Filter typesAll kits are available with Particulate and/or Chemical filters.

• Particulate filters are used to protect against respiratory viruses and other particulate hazards.

• Chemical filters are used to protect against specific respiratory hazards, such as mercury or ammonia.

• Combination filters are used to protect against a combination of hazards.

NB: Data sheets for all chemicals need to be supplied to ensure that you are adequately protected.

Staff must be CLEAN SHAVEN at all times wearing any tight fitting RPE.The HSE defines clean shaven as having shaved no more than 8 hours before the start of a shift.You should remember that the same rule applies when you wear your facepiece on a day-to-day basis at work. This is because a reliable face seal can only be achieved if you are clean-shaven in the area where the facepiece seal touches your face. DO NOT Fit Test people with facial hair, as this affects the face seal.

Facial Hair

Some staff are unable to be Fit Tested or pass a Fit Test for a number of reasons:• Facial hair• Facial disfigurements• Burns, scars, moles, piercings to the

area needed for a seal• Extremes in facial sizes or features• Surgery or dental work• Interference from hijab, glasses etc.Staff nursing patients for lengthy periods may prefer alternative protection for comfort reasons.Loose fitting respirators are available from Full Support Healthcare.

Fit Testing is not for everyone

The QuantitativeMethod

Qualitative & Quantitative

Fit Test Methods

QuantitativeQualitative

How it works

The PortaCount® machine works by comparing the number of particles inside the respirator when worn with the number of ambient particles in the air.The PortaCount® machine then calculates how many particles have seeped in and calculates a Fit Factor.This indicates how well the seal is working and therefore how suitable the respirator is for the subject.

Particles inside the respirator

Ambient particles

Fit FactorsA Fit Factor of 100 would mean that the air was 100x cleaner inside the respirator than outside.Different respirator types require different Fit Factor pass levels.

Minimum Fit Factors required

FFP3 respirator: 100 Half-face mask: 100 Full-face mask: 2000

Preparation

As a designated Fit Tester, make sure you have:

Pre Fit Test checklist Quantitative Fit Test Protocols Rainbow Passage Quantitative Respirator Fit Test Reports Fit Test Register

Selection of Easimask®

respirators A PortaCount® machine A tablet/computer with software

pre-installed and checked A stepper, exercise bike or

treadmill

You will need

Setting Up Video Guides

1. Setting up the PortaCount

2. Daily Checks

3. Ambient Particle CountSingle-use and half-mask

3000+ ambient readingFull-face respirators

10,000+ ambient reading

4. Entering Details

5. Probing the Respirator

Before we begin

1. Using the Quantitative Pre Fit Test checklist, brief the person on why you are carrying out a Fit Test.

2. Explain that the Fit Test will require prolonged gentle exercise and that they will need to follow your instructions closely throughout.

Preparing the Subject

• Clean shaven?

• Medically fit?

• Smoked/vaped in the past 60 minutes?

• Eaten in the past 15 minutes?

• PPE?

Criteria Check

• The subject should don a new respirator and perform a Fit Check.

• Do a visual inspection to make sure it is not a poor fit.

• Allow them to wear if for 5 minutes before the test.

Note: If the subject incorrectly dons their respirator they may fail their Fit Test

Don the respirator

FSM16 Video

FSM18 Video

The Fit Test

Throughout the Fit Test - with the exception of exercise 6 - the subject should be continually moving using a step, exercise bike or treadmill.

Continuous movement puts strain on the respirator seal and strap, mimicking the kinds of movements encountered whilst worn on the job.

Continuous movement

In addition to continuous movement, the subject will be asked to perform the following exercises for 1 minute 20 seconds each.

1) Normal breathing: without talking – while stepping/cycling

2) Deep breathing: breathing slowly and deeply – while stepping/cycling

3) Turn head side to side: inhaling/exhaling at each side – while stepping/cycling.

The 7 exercises

4) Moving head up and down: inhaling up, exhaling down – while stepping/cycling

5) Talking: read the rainbow passage out loud, or count backwards from 100 – while stepping/cycling

6) Bending over: bend at waist – without stepping/cycling

7) Normal breathing: without talking – resume stepping/cycling

The 7 exercises (continued)

Let’s begin

• When you are ready, click start to begin.

• Exercise instructions will appear on-screen for the subject to follow, as well as a Fit Factor result for each exercise and a final overall Fit Factor result once complete.

The results

Record Keeping

Whether a pass, fail or void – it is a legal requirement that you record the results.

• The Quantitative Fit Test Report in your delegate pack contains all the required information to be fully HSE compliant.• Give one copy of the Fit Test Report

to the person you have just Fit Tested.• Submit another copy to the relevant

person within the organisation for record keeping.

Recording your results

Consider a loosefitting respirator

If you do not achieve the required fit factor during each

exercise you will f fail your Fit

Test

You may re-testimmediately if required

Don a new respirator mask and re-fit test

Only perform 2 tests on the same

make and model

If this fails,then another model of respirator may be needed

If you fail a Fit Test

RPE fit testing should be carried out by a competent person. A fit tester should have adequate knowledge, and have received adequate instruction and training in the following areas:

1) selection of adequate and suitable RPE;2) examination of RPE and the ability to identify poorly maintained facepieces;3) ability to correctly fit a facepiece and perform pre-use wearer-seal checks;4) ability to recognise a poorly fitting facepiece;5) awareness of external factors that may affect the fit of the facepiece or the fit

test result;6) the purpose and applicability of fit testing;7) the differences between, and the appropriate use of, QNFT and QLFT

methods;

16 areas relating to competency

8) the purpose of the fit test exercises;9) preparation of facepieces for fit testing;10) how to carry out diagnostic checks on the facepiece and the fit test

equipment;11) capabilities and limitations of the fit test equipment;12) how to perform a correct fit test with the chosen method;13) awareness and knowledge of how to prevent and correct problems

during fit testing;14) interpretation of fit test results;15) an understanding of the differences between fit factors, workplace protection

factors, assigned protection factors and nominal protection factors; and16) HSE Regulations and the Approved Codes of Practice that deal with fit testing

of RPE.

16 areas relating to competency (cont’d)

Follow UsDownload the App

Instagram Twitter Linked-In

YouTube Facebook