DO YOU USE A RESPIRATOR IN THE WORKPLACE?

Where respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is used as a control measure under health and safety legislation, it is vital that the selected RPE is both adequate and suitable. To ensure that the selected RPE has the potential to provide adequate protection for individual wearers, the Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) supporting the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), the Control of Lead at Work Regulations, the Control of Asbestos Regulations, the Confined Spaces Regulations and the Ionising Radiations Regulations stipulate that tight-fitting RPE should be fit tested as part of the selection process. You must be able to prove the RPE is:

• suitable for the hazard, reducing exposure to the level required to protect the wearer’s health.
• right for the wearer, task and environment, such that the wearer can work freely and without additional risks due to the RPE.