Protecting Against Construction Dust Hazards
If you’re involved in construction or manage a team that works with materials producing airborne dust, using Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is essential. Ensuring RPE is correctly fitted, tested, and routinely inspected. Inadequate or poorly fitted masks can allow harmful construction dust to slip through, creating serious health and safety risks. By understanding why construction dust hazards matter and how to prevent them, you can keep your workforce healthier, meet legal obligations, and avoid costly penalties.
Why Construction Dusts Deserve Serious Attention
Construction and industrial processes often generate dust and fumes without you even realizing it. Activities like sanding, cutting, drilling, or pouring materials can produce fine airborne particles known to cause lung conditions such as silicosis, asthma, and COPD. A recent series of site inspections by HSE uncovered that many professionals either aren’t protecting themselves adequately from these hazards, or fail to recognize the risks in the first place.
Over 12,000 fatalities and 19,000 new cases of breathing problems per year in the UK are linked to occupational exposure to dust and other contaminants. Even a small amount of inhaled dust can cause long-term health implications. This is why fit testing is more than a formality—it’s a critical step in ensuring masks provide the intended level of protection.
The Role of RPE (and Why Fit Testing Matters)
RPE filters out hazardous airborne particles generated by everyday tasks on worksites. However, if a mask leaks no matter how effective its filter, it won’t protect the wearer. Face fit testing ensures that each individual’s mask creates an airtight seal and aligns with unique facial structures. It’s also a legal requirement (under COSHH and other regulations) for any workers exposed to hazardous substances.
The simple “pre-use wearer seal check” can help, but it’s not enough on its own. Only a formal face fit test administered by a competent provider confirms that your mask meets regulatory standards and genuinely safeguards against dust, fumes, and gases. Improperly fitted RPE has been cited in recent enforcement actions by the HSE, underscoring that a non-compliant setup can lead to heavy fines—or, worse, tragic outcomes for employees.
Staying Compliant and Safe
Adhering to UK Health and Safety regulations protects workers and minimizes liability for employers. Beyond face fit testing, it’s crucial to implement other dust control measures, such as local exhaust ventilation or wet-cutting techniques, to reduce dust at the source. Nonetheless, well-fitted RPE remains a frontline defence—and a particularly vital one when source controls and ventilation systems can’t entirely eliminate airborne hazards.
How We Can Help
We specialize in quantitative face fit testing for construction, manufacturing, and other high-risk industries. Our certified technicians ensure that all employees receive accurate, compliant fit tests. By using advanced TSI Portacount® technology, we quickly verify whether a mask fits snugly—and if not, we’ll help you find one that does.
When you partner with us:
- Protect Your Workforce: Confidently reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses linked to exposure to dusts and fumes.
- Meet Legal Obligations: Keep in line with the latest HSE guidelines, avoiding fines and enforcement actions.
- Enhance Productivity: Healthy employees miss fewer days of work, improving overall project efficiency and morale.
Contact us today or book online to schedule a face fit testing session at your worksite. Get compliant, boost worker confidence, and achieve lasting health and safety excellence.
What Our Customers Say About Us
FAQ
Who needs face fit testing?
Everyone using close-fitting respiratory protection devices, such as respirators or compressed air breathing apparatus, should undergo a face fit test. Why invest in top-notch respiratory protective gear only to risk its effectiveness by not ensuring a proper fit for the wearer?
Why is face fit testing essential?
Face fit testing guarantees that the protective mask chosen is the right fit for your facial structure, enhancing its efficiency against dangerous airborne elements. Recent studies reveal that nearly half of the Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) used doesn’t provide the expected protection level, primarily because it doesn’t fit properly.
What are the legal requirements for face fit testing?
The guidelines provided by COSHH, CLaW, and CAW endorse face fit testing as a means to guarantee an effective face seal. If face fit testing isn’t conducted, the HSE has the authority to take legal action. However, legal repercussions can be avoided if one can demonstrate that their procedures either match or surpass the face fit testing standards outlined in the HSE guidance, OC 282/28.
How often should RPE face fit testing be conducted?
Regular face fit testing is crucial to ensure continuous protection, especially if there’s a change in the wearer’s facial features (like significant weight loss or gain, dental work, or facial surgery). It’s recommended to schedule re-tests periodically and whenever there’s a change in the type or model of the RPE used.
Are there specific masks that require face fit testing?
While all tight-fitting respiratory protection should undergo face fit testing, it’s especially vital for masks used in high-risk environments, such as those exposed to toxic chemicals, biohazards, or fine particulate matter. Regardless of the mask’s brand or type, if it’s meant to provide a tight seal on the face, it should be fit tested.
Can I be fit tested if I have facial hair?
Facial hair, such as beards, moustaches, or stubble, can compromise the seal of a tight-fitting mask. It’s required that wearers be clean-shaven in the area of the mask seal to ensure an effective fit. If shaving isn’t an option, consider using hooded or helmet-style respirators which don’t require a tight seal against the face.
Get Started Today
Don’t leave your employees' safety to chance. Schedule your face fit testing appointment today or contact us to learn more about our comprehensive services. Our professional team is ready to support you in maintaining a safe and compliant workplace.
Fill in our online booking form or contact us if you require assistance.
