Fit2Fit scheme pass rate only 50%
British Safety Federation reiterates the need to educate and raise the proficiency of fitters
The British Safety Federation (BSIF) recently received results for the Fit2Fit Fit Test Providers Accreditation Scheme, which highlighted that over the past year the pass rate for the scheme has been less than 50%.
“These results are a cause for concern as they highlight that individuals who carry out this job may believe they are more competent in the area then they actually are,” said David Lummis, chief executive of the BSIF.
“The low pass rate has caused the BSIF to reflect on the general competence of RPE fitters. This incompetence may be due to a lack of knowledge, skills, experience and/or understanding of fit testing, or that these skills may have deteriorated over time. Either way, the wearer of the equipment will be risking potential respiratory health problems if the RPE is ill fitted.”
Lummis added: “Consequently, we shall continue to strive to educate and raise the proficiency of RPE fitters, as well as seek to increase the pass rates of the scheme. It is vital that everyone who carries out this job is accredited to the necessary standard, thereby reducing unnecessary risk to workers.”
UK laws stipulate that RPE used at work must be:
- Adequate and provide the wearer with effective protection;
- Suitable for the intended use;
- CE marked;
- Selected, used and maintained by properly trained people;
- Correctly maintained, examined and tested; and correctly stored.
These regulations place a legal obligation on employers to provide their workforce with correctly fitted RPE.
Lummis added: “The responsibility doesn’t just rest on the employers, employees need to be aware of the need for perfectly fitting RPE and if they have concerns, address them immediately.”
In 2009, the BSIF, in collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive and other industry stakeholders, launched the competency-based scheme that aims to reduce the incidence of occupational respiratory injury.
The scheme highlighted the need for RPE to be fitted properly after it emerged that many workers’ RPE did not achieve the correct level of protection due to poor fit. It involved any person performing face piece fit testing passing an industry recognised exam to confirm their competency, followed by a practical assessment. The assessment demonstrated that anyone involved in face piece fit testing had a thorough knowledge of the HSE guidance on fit testing and that they knew how to fit test in practical circumstances.