19 Aug Become A Face Fit Tester
Since the start of the pandemic, our industry has seen an enormous rise in the requirement for fit2fit accredited face fit testing, especially from the healthcare sector and dental industry.
In addition to this, we have seen unprecedented growth in the amount of people wanting to train up to become face fit testers. But how easy is it?
In the beginning
When Training and Testing Services first started with face fit testing, our trainers attended a fit2fit approved course. This is the highest standard of face fit training available. This course (as with all fit2fit approved courses) trains people up to conduct face fit testing. It does not grant fit2fit accreditation and it does not teach you how to train other people to conduct face fit testing.
Once our trainers attended the fit2fit approved course, we set about obtaining experience. In fact, it was over 2 years before we applied for our fit2fit accreditation.
Our recommendation
When looking to start out on the face fit testing journey we recommend attending a fit2fit approved training course, like ours. There are currently, a total of 11 training companies, in the country, who have achieved this level of approval. We are currently 1 of only 5 companies who have fit2fit approval to deliver both qualitative and quantitative fit test training.
Once you have attended a fit2fit approved course, the key is to go into the field and gain experience of face fit testing. Unfortunately it is not possible to become fit2fit accredited through course attendance alone.
Personally, we would recommend 6 months of experience at the very least, look at us, we waited 2 years before we felt we had gained enough experience to apply to fit2fit for accreditation of our face fit testing.
Fit2Fit Accreditation
Whilst accreditation is not compulsory, as stated by the HSE, it is the way you can demonstrate good practice.
Fit testing should be conducted by a competent person. Competence can be demonstrated by accreditation under the Fit2Fit RPE Fit Test Providers
HSE (Health and Safety Executive) Document INDG479
Accreditation Scheme. This scheme has been developed by the BSIF, together with industry stakeholders, and is supported by HSE.
The fit2fit scheme confirms the competence of a Fit Test Provider at the point of assessment.
Ask yourself this question, if you are not going to become fit2fit accredited, how are you going to prove your competence?
Training and Testing Services
We have consistently proved our competence to deliver fit2fit accredited face fit testing by renewing our accreditation every 3 years. In addition to this, we also run fit2fit approved training courses. We can train other people to conduct face fit testing with the approval of fit2fit. Delivered by one of our fit2fit accredited testers, our fit2fit approved course includes all aspects of the health and safety executives face fitting guidance and protocols.
Conclusion
If you want to train others to conduct face fit testing, but have no experience? We recommend a train the tester course.
Looking to become fit2fit accredited face fit tester but have no experience? Then your starting point is to attend a train the tester course.
Do you have experience but have never been formally trained? Our recommendation is to attend a train the tester course.
Are you looking to train others to conduct face fit testing? Follow the recommended steps below:
- attend a train the tester course
- obtain at least 6 months experience
- achieve fit2fit accreditation (to prove you are a competent person)
- get your course content fit2fit approved.
Contrary to popular belief, face fit testing is not a simple case of purchasing a test kit and start testing. There are protocols to follow, the HSE provide many documents to outline your obligations regarding face fit testing. It is important to be compliant if you are doing something which affects the health and safety of others.
We have many courses available. Are looking to conduct qualitative face fit testing in-house yourself? Would like us to come to your site? Do you want to be able to face fit test commercially? Do you just have one person? If so, you can come to our open course. Would you like to conduct quantitative face fit testing yourself? We can train you up and also supply TSI portacount machines.
For more information on any of our courses please feel free to contact a member of our friendly team who will be happy to help.
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