Find out more & book online at 3btraining.com
If your team uses tight-fitting masks to protect against harmful dust, fumes, or chemicals, making sure that equipment fits correctly is crucial.
Face fit testing helps ensure that Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) provides the protection it’s designed for by confirming a proper, secure seal for each individual wearer.
In this guide, we’ll be explaining what face fit testing involves and the different types of training we provide at 3B.
In many industries, workers rely on Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) to avoid inhaling harmful airborne substances. You’ll see RPE used across sectors like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and cleaning; anywhere dust, fumes, or hazardous materials are present.
But wearing RPE alone doesn’t offer full protection. For it to work as intended, it must seal tightly to the wearer’s face. Any gaps, even small ones, can let harmful particles in. That’s why face fit testing is so important.
It checks whether the mask fits the individual properly and ensures the seal is secure in real working conditions.
Face fit testing isn’t just best practice, it’s a legal requirement. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, employers must make sure tight-fitting RPE is fit tested by a competent person.
This also applies under the Control of Asbestos Regulations and the Control of Lead at Work Regulations. If your team wears masks that rely on a seal to protect them, you need to carry out face fit tests.
Face fit testing comes in two formats: qualitative and quantitative. At 3B, we offer qualitative testing as part of our public training offer.
This method is ideal for filtering facepieces (like disposable FFP3 masks) and reusable half masks.
Quantitative testing, which we can arrange for larger groups or as an in-house course, is suitable for tight-fitting full-face masks or when a more detailed analysis is needed.
This method uses specialist equipment to measure the amount of potential leakage into the facepiece.
You can find out more about both methods on our Face Fit Testing course page.
The face fit test is simple and takes around 25 minutes. For a qualitative test, we place a hood over the wearer’s head and spray a solution into the hood while they perform a set of exercises. These simulate normal work movements and help check if the mask remains sealed.
If the person can taste the solution at any point, it means the mask isn’t sealing properly. We then adjust the mask or try an alternative until we find one that works.
To complete the test, the wearer must bring the exact mask they use on site and be clean-shaven. Facial hair breaks the seal, making the test invalid.
You should take a face fit test whenever you’re issued with new RPE. But there are other times you’ll need to retest, such as after weight loss or gain, dental work, or facial injuries all of which can affect the shape of your face.
We also recommend regular testing to make sure the seal remains effective over time. Your face fit certificate is valid for two years, but retesting more often can offer extra peace of mind.
Training someone in your team to carry out face fit testing brings flexibility and long-term savings. You won’t need to book external testers every time a new starter joins or a mask is changed. Instead, your trained tester can act quickly and keep your team protected without delay.
This is especially useful in high-turnover industries or where multiple team members wear tight-fitting RPE. By bringing this skill in-house, you reduce disruption and stay compliant more easily.
Find out more on our Face Fit Train the Tester course page.
Our Face Fit Train the Tester course runs for one day and is led by a Fit2Fit-accredited instructor. We’ll guide you through the full testing process and help you understand how to select the right mask for different jobs.
You’ll also learn about legal duties, correct record-keeping, and how to spot common testing mistakes.
By the end of the course, you’ll know how to run a test confidently and competently. You’ll also be better equipped to advise your team on the safe use of RPE.
Learn more about Fit2Fit accreditation.
Our public Face Fit Train the Tester course focuses on qualitative testing. This method works well for most half-mask respirators and filtering facepieces.
If your organisation uses full-face masks or needs to carry out quantitative tests, we can offer this as a private in-house course. We tailor the training to suit your equipment and environment.
Face fit testing is vital across a wide range of roles and sectors. We work with construction workers, demolition teams, spray painters, roofers, cleaners, welders, and more.
If your job involves working with dust, fumes, mists or gases—and you wear tight-fitting RPE—you must have a valid face fit test. This helps protect you from breathing in harmful substances that could cause long-term illness.
Employers have a legal duty to make sure RPE fits each team member correctly. That includes arranging a test before the mask is used and repeating the test if there are any changes to the mask or the wearer’s face shape.
You must also keep a clear record of every test. This includes the date, the result, the model of RPE, and the name of the tester. If an HSE inspector visits your site, they’ll expect to see these records on file.
Regular re-testing is also key. It’s good practice to test annually, even though certificates are valid for two years.
We can carry out face fit testing at your workplace or at one of our training centres across the UK. This gives you the choice to minimise disruption and keep your team onsite, or attend a nearby centre at a time that works for you.
For the Face Fit Train the Tester course, we offer both public classroom dates and in-house delivery. If you’re training multiple people from the same organisation, in-house training may be the most cost-effective option.
Our team is approachable, experienced, and ready to support you every step of the way. We use Fit2Fit-accredited trainers and follow fully compliant testing procedures, so you can feel confident you’re meeting your legal duties.
You can book online if you know what you need, or get in touch for a tailored quote if you’re arranging group training.
Face fit testing checks whether a tight-fitting mask seals properly to the wearer’s face to provide full protection.
Yes. If your workers use tight-fitting RPE, the law requires that each person is tested by a competent person.
Tests usually take around 20–30 minutes per person and can be completed during the working day.
No. Beards, stubble, or facial hair will prevent a proper seal. You must be clean-shaven on the day of the test.
Tests are valid for two years. However, we recommend more frequent testing if your mask changes or your face shape changes.
Yes. Once you’ve passed the course, you’ll be competent to carry out tests for your team using the correct method.
Yes. It’s accredited by 3B Training and delivered by a Fit2Fit-accredited instructor.
It takes one day and includes both theory and practical learning.
Yes. If your company is CITB registered, you can claim £60 per delegate.
Book a Face Fit Test online today or get in touch for a group quote at your site.
Train an in-house tester with our one-day Face Fit Train the Tester course and protect your team with confidence.
Not sure which option is right? Speak to our team and we’ll help you choose the best route for your role or organisation.
This blog covers some tips and mistakes to avoid when using a CAT and Genny.
The NEBOSH Construction Certificate provides knowledge on the correct health and safety practices tailored to the construction sector. Discover the importance of this qualification, the impact it has on businesses and how to prepare employees for this course.
In order to ensure the safety of workers in the water industry, the Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR) has developed the Safety, Health and Environmental Awareness (SHEA) Water training program. This is training designed to enhance water safety and protect workers from potential hazards. In this article, we will explore the importance of EUSR […]
