Respirator Fit Testing in the Southwest

The recent launch of the BSIF  FIT2FIT scheme made me consider just how aware of the requirements concerning Respiratory Protection the majority of south west employers actually are. 

Most large companies have specialist Health and Safety Resources in house, and many smaller organisations buy support in from the many excellent Safety and Health Consultancies that operate in Devon and Cornwall. BUT - I have been asking around, and the general feeling is that RPE is a long way down most people's to do list. It takes so much effort to cover requirements such as working at heights, lifting, monitoring and all those other highly visible requirements favoured by Inspectors that there is a little or no available resource

for developing comprehensive respiratory protection plans (RPP). Most people carry out a hazard assessment of sorts, sometimes with the input of their Inspectors (the vast majority of whom are fully prepared to offer high value advice and assistance), then opt for a belt and braces approach that is considered to err on the side of caution.

But that is all about to change; The HSE are preparing revised guidance that will require Inspectors to actively consider the relevance of RPP's and to actively seek evidence of the various competencies called for as part of HSE O/C 282/28 and HSG 53. At the same time the HSE will launch a campaign to raise awareness of the need for suitable RPPs, the proper management of RPPs going forward and the demonstration of competency for anyone involved in verifying RPE using Fit Testing as is required by law (HASAWA and subsequent ACOPS and Guidance).

The HSE will focus on several industries including baking, farming, quarrying and stone crushing and monumental masons. One common factor in many of these industries is that they are dominated (numerically) by small organisations. The HSE are concerned that whilst larger organisations have got the message, they have not been as successful at getting the message through to the smaller companies.

Here's the point, do you need our help, or do we need yours? 

To start off, we need your help to identify the scale of the issue down here in Devon and Cornwall. Can you let us know what your situation is regarding RPE at work? When we have sufficient info a group of us will be looking to develop an appropriate resource to help you comply with your legal requirements, to help you make sure your friends and colleagues are adequately protected and that your solution continues to deliver in the years to come. Training, testing, accreditation, advice and expertise are all on offer, we just need to work out the delivery process.

All the information you share with us will be held in confidence. Please circulate this to anyone else you think has an interest in, or a need for  RPE support in Devon or Cornwall