RR1194: Fit testing of CE marked ear loop respirators
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a different style of filtering facepiece (FFP) respirator with ear loops appeared on the UK market. This research concluded that ear loop respirators/masks do not provide protection as tight fitting RPE.
To protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous substances, an FFP respirator depends on a tight seal between the respirator and the wearer’s face. By measuring face fit, the research demonstrated that ear loop straps failed to provide adequate tension to securely hold the respirators in place resulting in substantial inward leakage.
HSE guidance states that respirators with inadequate fit will significantly reduce the protection provided to the wearer and based on this research, HSE issued a safety notice titled ‘Ear loop respirators/masks do not provide protection as tight fitting RPE’.
Visit the RR1194 report (PDF) [12]
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive. Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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