How to Become a Face Fit Tester in the UK

30 Oct How to Become a Face Fit Tester in the UK

Thinking about becoming a Face Fit Tester? Whether you’re looking to develop your skills, offer face fit testing within your organisation or start providing face fit testing as a service, choosing the right training is an important first step.

Face fit testing plays a vital role in workplace safety, helping to ensure that tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) provides an effective seal against the wearer’s face.

At Training and Testing Services (TTS), we recommend a clear three-step approach to becoming a competent, professionally recognised Face Fit Tester:

1. Attend a Fit2Fit Approved Face Fit Train the Tester course.
2. Gain practical experience conducting face fit tests.
3. Work towards achieving Fit2Fit Accreditation.

Here’s what you need to know about each stage.

Step 1: Attend a Fit2Fit Approved Face Fit Train the Tester Course

The first step is to undertake suitable training that provides the knowledge and practical skills needed to carry out face fit testing correctly.

At TTS, we are proud to be a Fit2Fit Approved Training Provider, offering specialist Face Fit Train the Tester courses designed to help delegates develop the skills and confidence to conduct face fit tests.

Our courses cover essential areas including:

• Understanding respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and the importance of correct fit.
• Relevant legislation and HSE guidance.
• The different methods of face fit testing.
• Correct preparation and testing procedures.
• Identifying common problems and understanding test failures.
• Practical experience carrying out face fit tests.
• Recording results and maintaining appropriate documentation.

We offer both Qualitative and Quantitative Face Fit Train the Tester courses, allowing you to choose the training most appropriate for the type of testing you intend to undertake.

Completing a course is an excellent foundation, but becoming a competent Face Fit Tester also requires practical experience.

Step 2: Gain Practical Face Fit Testing Experience

Once you’ve completed your training, the next step is to put your new skills into practice.

Face fit testing is a practical skill, and experience is essential to developing confidence, consistency and competence.

We recommend carrying out face fit tests regularly, working with different mask types and becoming familiar with the challenges that can arise during testing.

This experience will help you:

• Develop a consistent testing technique.
• Recognise and resolve common testing issues.
• Improve your understanding of different RPE types.
• Build confidence in explaining procedures to wearers.
• Prepare for the practical requirements of Fit2Fit Accreditation.

Remember, completing a training course does not automatically make someone Fit2Fit Accredited. Training and accreditation are separate stages, and it’s important to understand the distinction.

Step 3: Become Fit2Fit Accredited

Once you’ve completed suitable training and gained sufficient practical experience, we recommend working towards Fit2Fit Accreditation.

Fit2Fit is the competency accreditation scheme for face fit testers, developed by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), in collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The scheme provides an independent assessment of a tester’s competence and helps employers identify individuals who have demonstrated the necessary knowledge and practical ability to carry out face fit testing.

Achieving Fit2Fit Accreditation demonstrates your commitment to professional standards and can help build confidence among employers and clients.

Although Fit2Fit Accreditation is not a legal requirement in itself, employers must ensure that face fit testing is carried out by a competent person.

For anyone planning to offer face fit testing professionally, we strongly recommend working towards accreditation.

Receive £120 Off Your Fit2Fit Accreditation

Here’s an additional benefit of training with TTS.

Delegates who attend our Fit2Fit Approved Face Fit Train the Tester courses are entitled to a £120 voucher towards their Fit2Fit Accreditation through the BSIF.

This provides a valuable saving for those planning to progress from training to independent accreditation.

By choosing a Fit2Fit Approved Training Provider, you’re not only investing in quality training but also taking an important step towards achieving professional recognition.

The voucher is applied towards the relevant BSIF accreditation fee, subject to the scheme’s terms and conditions.

Qualitative or Quantitative Face Fit Testing – Which Should You Choose?

There are two main methods of face fit testing.

Qualitative Face Fit Testing

Qualitative testing uses a wearer’s sense of taste to determine whether a test agent has entered the respirator.

It is a pass-or-fail method, generally used for suitable disposable and reusable half-mask respirators.

Quantitative Face Fit Testing

Quantitative testing uses specialist equipment to measure the effectiveness of the respirator’s seal, producing a numerical fit factor.

It can be used for a wider range of tight-fitting respirators, including full-face masks, when the appropriate equipment and procedures are used.

The right training course will depend on the types of RPE you intend to test and the needs of your organisation or clients.

If you’re unsure which route is right for you, our team will be happy to advise.

Why Choose Training and Testing Services?

At TTS, face fit testing is one of our specialist areas.

As a Fit2Fit Approved Training Provider, we understand the importance of providing practical, relevant training that prepares delegates for real-world testing.

Whether you’re responsible for RPE within your organisation or looking to develop a professional face fit testing service, our courses are designed to help you build the knowledge and practical skills you need.

We offer:

• Fit2Fit Approved Qualitative Face Fit Train the Tester courses.
• Fit2Fit Approved Quantitative Face Fit Train the Tester courses.
• Experienced trainers with practical industry knowledge.
• Hands-on training with relevant testing equipment.
• Guidance on progressing towards Fit2Fit Accreditation.
• A £120 BSIF accreditation voucher for eligible course delegates.

Start Your Journey to Becoming a Face Fit Tester

Becoming a competent Face Fit Tester involves more than simply attending a course. It’s about gaining the right knowledge, developing practical experience and demonstrating your competence.

At TTS, we recommend following the route of training, experience and Fit2Fit Accreditation to give yourself the strongest possible foundation.

Ready to get started?

Explore our Fit2Fit Approved Face Fit Train the Tester courses in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, and Morden, South London, or delivered on you site anywhere in mainland UK. Contact our team to discuss the most suitable training for your needs.

Contact Training and Testing Services

Telephone: 01423 611030

Email: [email protected]

Book your Face Fit Train the Tester course today and take the first step towards becoming a professionally recognised Face Fit Tester.