New HSE research has revealed that respirators/masks which rely on ear loops (including those provided with clips, ‘snuggers’ or other means of tightening the fit of the mask) to hold the respirator/mask in place, do not protect people adequately when used as tight fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
HSE has seen an increase in the variety of ear loop respirators/masks, which indicate they offer the protection provided by FFP2 (filtering face piece respirators or disposable half mask respirators). For the majority of workers who are required to wear tight fitting RPE in the workplace, a good seal cannot be achieved with a respirator/mask relying on ear loops to hold it in place.
If the respirator / mask uses ear loops, in most cases, it is highly unlikely to provide the wearer with the right protection. This includes any respirators/masks which use clips, ‘snuggers’ or other means of tightening ear loops, even if they have CE or UKCA marks.
Do not confuse FFP2 masks / respirators with masks or fluid resistance surgical masks (FRSM), as these masks are used for a different purpose and are not required to be tight fitting.
To provide adequate protection for individual wearers, all tight-fitting RPE should be fit tested by a competent assessor as part of the selection process. HSE research shows that in the majority of cases a face fit test was not passed for CE or UKCA marked ear loop mask/respirators and only in a very few cases was a face fit test passed. Due to this, HSE recommends that ear loop masks / respirators are not used as RPE in the workplace.
Duty holders are asked to revisit their COSHH Regulations 2002 Risk Assessment and consider their RPE provision to ensure it is adequate, suitable for the user and the activity to be undertaken. If you have identified that tight fitting RPE is required, you should note HSE does not recommend using a mask/respirator which relies on ear loops to hold it in place.
If you require Face Fit Testing, please check out the link below:
To read more about this article, please check out the link below:
Comments