Kentec's Holiday Business Hours

A Big Thank You to all of our clients, partners and team for a great 2012. we are all resting up over the Christmas and New Year and will be back ready to go on 2nd January 2013 at 8.00am. If you need to contact us during the holiday break please call 0780-395-4125.

We have a full schedule planned for our open public courses throughout 2013. For information of these courses or to book a place using our online booking system please follow the link below. Our Course schedule for 2013 can be found here

Kentec Christmas Party

Instructors or Gangsters?

All the staff at Kentec Training attended a great Christmas party for 2012 with the theme of 1940's Gangsters. Held at Battersea Power Station, we danced the night away and played on the bumper cars! We're not sure how we are going to top it next year! A great time was had by all!

PASMA Promotes Facebook Use

PASMA, the world’s leading trade association for the mobile access tower industry, has launched a new scheme which uses Facebook to help more people to find tower training through offering last-minute spaces. This is being promoted using a new A2 Poster featuring Kentec training’s own instructor, James Carter (See Photo).

The scheme allows PASMA’s accredited training companies to use the PASMA Facebook page to post information about any last-minute places available on their training courses. This gives those who need training an industry respected source to reliably find high-standard courses around the country. Through offering a trusted last-minute service online, PASMA hopes to encourage as wide an audience as possible to seek training and understand the dangers of work at height.

PASMA member companies have already begun to take part in the new system, with places regularly offered a week in advance from various well-known training providers around the country. With many of these spaces exclusive to the PASMA Facebook page, visitor numbers have already risen in response.

Ian Fyall, PASMA’s Training Committee Chairman, said: “We believe it is important to continue to press forward with new ways of delivering training to those who need it, especially the smaller companies which have traditionally been the hardest to reach with the safety message.”

He added: “With falls from height continuing to be the number one danger in the workplace, we must make it as easy as possible for people and companies to find training and understand the risks. PASMA believes that new media, with its ability to reach different groups than more traditional methods, can be a large part of that.”

This online scheme is the latest in a series of moves the Association has made to embrace new media. Since creating a new social media role within the organisation this summer it now updates its online channels daily, and regularly produces multimedia content such as online videos. Through this scheme and future projects, PASMA plans to continue to be at the vanguard among trade associations for using technology to widen the safety message.

A New Member of the Kentec Team

A big welcome to Natalie who has recently joined our busy team of administration staff and is already proving to be a valuable member.

At Kentec, we look for special qualities when recruiting. Everyone is encouraged to play a part in driving the business forward and we know that our people are our greatest asset.

Team spirit and our collective expertise and knowledge are important. Our open and supportive culture ensures we stay at the leading edge of new technology and the bespoke service we offer our customers is second to none. In the short time Natalie has been at Kentec, she has seen many positive changes and developments. However, the one constant is our mission to provide a unique service and build long lasting relationships with our customers that ensure that our high standards are consistently met.

See your Certificate Presentation Photo On FaceBook

After successfully completing your chosen course at Kentec Training we will take a photo of you being presented with your Certificate with your Instructor.

This will then be posted on our FaceBook page at: www.facebook.com/kentectraining

Link to our Facebook Page, like us and see your photo and let your friends, family and colleagues that you passed.

Here, Scott Paterson’s photo was published proving that he is “The Daddy” when it come to using Mobile Access Towers. Scott successfully completed both theory and practical assessments on his recent PASMA Tower for User’s Course.

Kentec confirmed as PASMA Instructor Training Centre

We are very pleased to announce that we have been chosen as one of six PASMA Premier Training Centres located throughout the UK to offer PASMA Instructor Training.

Our Managing Director, Steve Booker stated that “Our selection as a PASMA Instructor Training Centre show recognition of our status as one of the leading PASMA Training Centres in the UK”.

PASMA Instructor Training and assessment will be in four key skill areas which are modular, followed by a mandatory mentoring module, in which the novice Instructor will be under the mentorship and tutelage of a Lead Instructor. The current modules are as follows:

1. Instructional Techniques – a two day module designed to conform to the requirements of Lifelong Learning UK’s, (formerly FENTO), Standards for teaching and supported learning in further education.

2. Health & Safety – a one day module designed to ensure delegates are fully conversant with legislation and regulations which impact on the safe use of mobile access towers, including the implementation of the Temporary Work at Height Directive

3. Mobile Access Tower Industry Specific – a one day module self-accredited by PASMA designed to ensure delegates are fully conversant and knowledgeable of best practice for mobile access towers and their applications.

4. PASMA Training Scheme – a half day module to introduce PASMA’s Training Scheme Procedures and to equip the delegate to operate within its national standards for training delivery.

5. Mentored Module – consists of a basic mentoring programme of three day sessions, in which the novice instructor will deliver a complete PASMA Towers for Users course. All sessions will be undertaken under the mentorship and tutelage of a PASMA Lead Instructor.

Kentec Training featured in PASMA Video

We recently filmed a PASMA Tower for Users Course at our training centre in Tonbridge in cooperation with PASMA, where our Lead Instructor, Steve Booker was featured.

PASMA interviewed delegates and our lead instructor during and after the course. you can see what people think after they successfully pass both theory and practical instruction and assessment, and catch a glimpse of the training in action.

The PASMA Towers For Users Course delivers a minimum of 7 hours of instruction and is aimed at giving FULL competence in assembling, altering, inspecting, moving, dismantling and using mobile access towers. This nationally recognised course is designed to instruct up to a maximum of 12 candidates, and provide training on mobile access towers manufactured in aluminium alloy or GRP fibreglass, approved to BS EN 1004: 2004 and which carry a current British Standard or other equivalent mark of approval.

Click here to see the video in full

Construction Engineering and Design Expo 2012

Kentec Training will be one of the many exhibitors at the Kent Construction Expo next week on Thursday 11th October at the Chatham Dockyards, Kent. We are going to be located on Stand 30, so make sure you come along and say hello.

We have a number of offers running on the day, along with vouchers to make your training even more cost effective.

We have both our admin staff and instructors available to answer every question you may have regarding your training needs.

The exhibition runs from 8.30am – 4.30pm, with a number of guest speakers and seminars that are free to attend. The exhibition is described as a ‘showcase for companies in construction’. We hope to see you there!

Darren Painter successfully qualifies as a Ladder Association Instructor

We are very pleased to confirm that our Instructor, Darren Painter, has successfully completed his Ladder Association Instructor training and is now a fully qualified LA Instructor.

Kentec can now boast three (3) Ladder Association Instructors including a Lead Ladder Association Instructor all working full time at our training company.

As one of the Ladder Association’s leading training providers, Kentec can offer the ful range of LA course including; Ladder & Step Ladder Users Course, Ladder & Step Ladder Inspection Course, Ladders for Managers Course, Low Level Steps and Stools Course and the User and Inspection combined course.

Call us on 0333-666-0555 now for more details on how you can become a competent ladder users.

IOSH Working Safely Training Course now available from Kentec Training

IOSH Working safely training course is designed for people at any level in any sector, and meets the government’s guidelines for introductory health and safety training. It’s a 100% match to the Health and Safety Executive’s ‘Passport’ syllabus. Full of step-by-step guidance you’ll find that the highly innovative format and content inspires delegates – critical to getting essential health and safety messages across.

Working safely is a one day training course offering jargon-free health and safety basics. The high quality animated graphics and presentation materials make it fun and engaging. You’ll find everything you need in the pack including a board game and quizzes. This course is available for £135.00 + vat per person.

For more details, please click here.

The Ladder Association adds to its Portfolio of Courses

The Association is pleased to announce the introduction of a new course, Working with Steps & Step Stools, which approved training centres can now run as part of its portfolio of courses.

As the title suggests, this new course ensures users are competent to use steps and steps stools in an appropriate and safe way. It comprises of both theory and practical assessments.

The Ladder & Stepladder and Ladder Inspection courses have also been revised, and are now available as half-day courses. The Ladder & Stepladder course is aimed at those who use ladders and stepladders frequently in the course of their daily duties. Ladder Inspection is aimed specifically at those whose duty is to inspect and maintain ladders and stepladders in the workplace.

What you should do to comply with the Work At Height Regs 2005

The Regulations apply to all work at height where there is risk of a fall that is liable to cause personal injury. They place duties on employers, the self-employed and any person who controls the work of others (such as facilities managers or building owners who may contract others to work at height).

As part of the Regulations, duty holders must ensure:

• all work at height is properly planned and organised

(i) those involved in work at height are competent
(ii) the risks from work at height are assessed, and appropriate work equipment is selected and used
(iii) the risks of working on or near fragile surfaces are properly managed
(iv) the equipment used for work at height is properly inspected and maintained

There is a simple hierarchy for managing work at height and selecting the appropriate access equipment.

Duty holders must:

• avoid work at height where possible, for example doing the work from ground level
• use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls, where work at height cannot be avoided
• use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of potential falls, where the risk cannot be eliminated

For more information, see: The Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Why Do I Have To Train My Employees?

Everyone who works for you needs to know how to work safely and without risks to health. TheHealth and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires you to provide whatever information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of your employees.

This is expanded by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which identify situations where health and safety training is particularly important, for example, when people start work, or are exposure to new or increased risks and where existing knowledge, ability and competence may have become rusty or need updating.

You must provide training during working hours and not at the expense of your employees. Special arrangements may be needed for part-timers or shift workers. You need to assess the risks to your employees while they are at work and to any other people who may be affected by the way you conduct your business.

Like many employers, you may not be in a position to provide this training on your own, this is where Kentec Training can help. As a professional training provider we can ensure that your staff receive effective and relevant training and instruction. We can also offer training on Saturdays, early evenings or even night shifts when required.

Data on fatalities needs to be more forensic demands PASMA

HSE Provisional Workplace Fatality Figures for 2011/12 need to be more forensic demands PASMA

A long-time time advocate of the need for more detailed data, the Association says the latest figures, although clearly important, do little or nothing to help identify the cause of these fatalities. Such data, claims PASMA, is essential to help target information and initiatives at those areas needing it most.

Firmly committed to advancing safety and best practice in the work at height sector – a major cause of workplace injuries and deaths – the Association says the need for in depth information is paramount in order to help influence future outcomes and enable all organisations who champion safety to focus their attention where it matters most.

Comments Neil Tomlinson, PASMA’s head of marketing and communications: “Only in this way will we be able to prioritise, direct and take the action necessary to influence the figures and be able to demonstrably show progress on significantly reducing accident statistics. Not only in the UK, but ultimately internationally.”

Ladder fall earns politician the nickname ‘Mr Bump’!

One thing that has become clear this summer is that politicians are not best suited to working at height. If stories about their above-ground exploits continue to pile up, they might start to feel the need for Ladder Association training.

First, Boris Johnson failed to quite make it all the way to the ground during an Olympic zip line stunt, being left dangling in the air shouting “get me a rope, get me a ladder”. Now, Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock has upped the ante to more dangerous levels.

The Labour MP and Shadow Transport Minister fell from a ladder at his home on Sunday while moving things into his attic. He described himself as “lucky” on Twitter after spending the night in hospital, not to mention “bashful”.

Rightly so, according to the Ladder Association’s Head of Communications, Neil Tomlinson. He said: “Ladders are great to have around the house as well as at work if used safely and correctly but with falls from height among the most common ways people seriously injure themselves at work, people at home also have to be aware of the dangers and make sure they minimise them.

“Fellow MPs now affectionately refer to him as Mr Bump, and Mr Woodcock has called himself an “eejit”. While the Ladder Association wouldn't want to disagree with him, we are pleased to see that he considers this accident a “valuable lesson”. Not everyone is lucky enough to have the chance to learn lessons after a fall from height, it is great news that nothing is broken and he is going home.”

The Ladder Association advocates the usefulness of ladders, stating that if it’s right to use a ladder, use the right ladder and get trained to use it safely. This incident comes less than a month before the start of the Association’s Ladder Exchange 2012 campaign, an ideal way to maximise ladder safety by trading in older ladders for discounted new ones.

Aside from considering such a trade-in, Mr Woodcock is also welcome to a complementary Ladder Association training course if he feels his skills at height could do with some work. Perhaps he will spread the word, and soon all politicians will be working safely at height.

Ladders in Scaffolding: New Guidance

Launched at the recent Safety & Health Expo, the Ladder Association has published new guidance when using ladders in scaffolding. It underlines the need to ensure that ladders used in scaffolding applications meet the requisite standards and are supplied complete with the relevant – and genuine – approvals mark and test certificate. Comments the Association’s Technical Director, Don Aers: ” This new document is designed to inform and guide anyone with the responsibility for specifying and purchasing ladders for use in scaffolding. Always use the right ladder, manufactured to the correct standard and use it safely.”Ignorance is no defence".

 Click here to download PDF version

Ladder Exchange Programme

The Ladder Exchange Programme is actively supported by the Ladder Association and Kentec Training who have made a firm commitment to work in partnership with HSE and the access industry. We support this programme as the 'Exchange' has also contributed to raising awareness and understanding of how to use ladders and stepladders safely. Under the scheme, suspect ladders can be exchanged for new, at a discounted price by Kentec Training.

The Ladder Exchange is a great example of how everyone in the health and safety system can share responsibility and work together towards a common goal; namely, reducing falls from height.

With immediate effect, the Ladder Association has assumed responsibility for delivering the annual Ladder Exchange. Since it was first launched in 2007, the Exchange has been responsible for removing over 10,000 broken, bented or damaged ladders from the workplace with the message ‘Don’t let a dodgy ladder shatter your life’. Cameron Clow, the new chairman of the Association has commented: “By entrusting the running and management of the Ladder Exchange to the Ladder Association, HSE is acknowledging the increasingly important role that the Association and member organisations of the Access Industry Forum (AIF) now play in advancing safety and best practice in the work at height sector.”

“The Ladder Association is the natural and logical new home for this landmark initiative, which, at launch, created a benchmark in collaboration between the industry trade body, ladder manufacturers and suppliers, and the regulatory body. As an organisation committed to advancing knowledge, skills and safety, we are proud and delighted to have the opportunity of taking over and developing this initiative.”

Paul Cook for HSE says: ”It is widely recognised that trade associations such as the Ladder Association are well placed to promote safety in their industries, given their long established cross-sector membership and contacts. We look forward to the Ladder Association making a real success of the Ladder Exchange as it develops in future years, helping to reduce serious risks that can cost people their livelihoods and  their lives.”

Falls from height:

Despite a steady decline, falls from height remain the most common kind of workplace fatality. In 2010/11, a total of 38 workers died and 4,327 employees suffered a major injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace, with a further 10,232 employees suffering an ‘over 3 day’ injury. Many of these incidents could have been avoided by people with the right training using the correct equipment that had been properly inspected and maintained.

IPAF Categories Explained

IPAF have a number of different categories that are available for operatives to be trained on. Make sure you are aware of the different categories before you book your course!

The IPAF Training Categories, with abbreviations and brief explanations, are:

Static Vertical (1a): Vertical personnel platforms (static)

Static Boom (1b): Self-propelled booms with outriggers, trailer or track mounted booms, vehicle-mounted platforms

Mobile Vertical (3a): Scissor lifts, mobile vertical personnel platforms

Mobile Boom (3b): Self-propelled booms (Cherry Pickers)

Push Around Vertical (PAV): Push around verticals

Harness Use and Inspection (H)

MEWPs for Managers (MM)

Courses available on Weekends from Kentec Training Ltd!

We are offering open public training courses on Saturdays for those individuals, companies and organisations who can not commit to training during the working week.

We appreciate that it can be difficult to release staff for training during the working week and that by offering Saturday courses, Kentec can provide a solution to your training needs.

Our courses are offered on an ‘open’ course basis on a Saturday at our Tonbridge Training Centre.

Saturday Rates:

IPAF Operator Training (Two Categories – 3A & 3B) only £235.00 + vat per person

PASMA Tower for User’s Course - £145.00 + vat per person

If you would like to book onto any of our courses on a weekend, please call 0333 666 0555 to check availability.

Kentec Training exhibit at the Kent b2b in Ashford

This year we will be attending the Kent & Medway B2B 2012 on Tuesday the 3rd of July at Ashford International Hotel. The one day event will showcase over 130 businesses in Kent and Kentec Training will be joining them to network in the local business community.

Whilst not aimed purely at the training sector, forward thinking business owners could still take inspiration from the four seminars taking place, including keynote speakers Richard Farleigh, the dynamic entrepreneur from Dragon’s Den and Paula Wynne, an award winning social media entrepreneur.

Our team will be at Stand 89 giving advice and guidance to all of our training services. Please stop for a chat and an information pack or to book one of many scheduled training courses as we will have live course booking available at the exhibition.

PASMA Mobile APP

Available to download now for free

The new Mobile App from PASMA provides a huge range of practical information for users of mobile access towers that can be used on a day-to-day basis to support safety, enhance competency and speed and simplify the whole process of information gathering.

Read more download here for free.

PASMA Village at Vertikal Days 2012

Back for a second year, the mobile access tower display will be more prominent than ever at Vertikal Days. PASMA Member organisations, Euro Towers, Instant Upright, Lyte Ladders & Towers, OMS, and Turner Access will be showcasing the latest and best in tower technology, applications and best practice.

PASMA will be offering advice and guidance on standards and safety and introducing visitors to its latest Portfolio of training courses including the new AGRs for Towers for Users course. More information about the event can be found at www.vertikaldays.net

PASMA are also hosting their Annual Members Meeting and several Committee Meetings throughout the Thursday at Haydock Park.

Like Kentec Training's Facebook Page!

Like Kentec Training on Facebook!

Please like Kentec Training on Facebook. We have responded to our customers request for more information and guidance on what we are doing. We are now actively adding pictures and information to try and provide our customers with an insight into our business. Please visit our Facebook page, where you will be able to view up to date information and fantastic last minute deals available to you!

Kentec now has three senior instructors!

We are very proud to confirm the appointment today of our instructor Darren Painter to IPAF Senior Instructor status. Darren’s knowledge, experience and long history of high quality training made it an easy decision for IPAF.

Darren has recently joined Kentec as a full time instructor. 

This qualification will be the first of many that we will support Darren in gaining. As with all of our instructors, Kentec actively promotes and supports their training and development as both instructors and professionals.

Darren is now able to facilitate additional IPAF Courses such as MEWPs for Managers as well as facilitating IPAF Instructor Training.

Why should you train your staff?

• It’s The LAW
• A trained and competent operator is less likely to have an accident, do something wrong, operate equipment incorrectly or endanger others.

European Directives

EEC Directive 89/655/EEC A7
The employer shall take measures necessary to ensure that workers given the task of using work equipment receive adequate training including training on any risk that may entail.

EEC Directive 95/63/EEC A5
The employer shall take measures necessary to ensure that workers given the task of using work equipment receive adequate specific training including training on any risk that may entail.

United Kingdom Legislation and Regulation

Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 
Part 1. 2 (2) (c) General duties of the employer; the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees.

Work at Height Regulations 2005 – Reg 5. Competence

Every employer shall ensure that no person engages in any activity, including organisation, planning, and supervision, in relation to work at height or work equipment for use in such work unless he is competent to do so or, if being trained, is being supervised by a competent person.
(competency = sufficient and adequate training / theoretical knowledge / practical experience).

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 Reg 9. Training

(1) Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for the purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be undertaken.

(2) Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of work equipment has received adequate training for the purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be undertaken

Falls From Height – Still A Problem

Despite a steady decline, falls from height remain the most common kind of workplace fatality. In 2010/11, a total of 38 workers died and 4,327 employees suffered a major injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace, with a further 10,232 employees suffering an ‘over 3 day’ injury.

Many of these incidents could have been avoided by people with the right training using the correct equipment that had been properly inspected and maintained.

LADDER ASSOCIATION Assumes Responsibilities For Ladder Exchange Scheme

WITH immediate effect, the Ladder Association, the trade body representing the ladder industry in the UK and Ireland, has assumed responsibility for delivering the annual Ladder Exchange. Since it was first launched in 2007, it has been responsible for removing over 10,000 broken, bent or damaged ladders from the workplace with the message ‘Don’t let a dodgy ladder shatter your life’.

Actively supported by the Ladder Association and its members who, throughout, have made a firm commitment to work in partnership with HSE and the access industry, the Exchange has also contributed to raising awareness and understanding of how to use ladders and stepladders safely. Under the scheme, suspect ladders can be exchanged, at a discount, at participating partners.

The Ladder Exchange is a great example of how everyone in the health and safety system can share responsibility and work together towards a common goal; namely, reducing falls from height.

Comments Cameron Clow, the new chairman of the Association: “By entrusting the running and management of the Ladder Exchange to the Ladder Association, HSE is acknowledging the increasingly important role that the Association and member organisations of the Access Industry Forum (AIF) now play in advancing safety and best practice in the work at height sector.”

“The Ladder Association is the natural and logical new home for this landmark initiative, which, at launch, created a benchmark in collaboration between the industry trade body, ladder manufacturers and suppliers, and the regulatory body. As an organisation committed to advancing knowledge, skills and safety, we are proud and delighted to have the opportunity of taking over and developing this initiative.”

Paul Cook for HSE says: ”It is widely recognised that trade associations such as the Ladder Association are well placed to promote safety in their industries, given their long established cross-sector membership and contacts. We look forward to the Ladder Association making a real success of the Ladder Exchange as it develops in future years, helping to reduce serious risks that can cost people their livelihoods and  their lives.”

The 2012 Ladder Exchange will begin on 1 September and run until 30 November 2012. Full details will be posted on the Ladder Association’s website from 1 May. In the interim period, anyone wishing to register their interest in becoming a participating partner should contact jill.couttie@ladderassociation.org.uk

More Ladder Exchange details will also be available from the Association’s stand in the AIF Information Centre at this year’s Safety & Health Expo, 15-17 May, at the NEC, Birmingham.

BAF Highlight Safety Shortcomings

New accreditation scheme sets standards for abrasives safety training

The leading manufacturers of abrasive products fear that proper training in their safe use is being overlooked. It is often the result of confusion due to changes in legislation that have affected the burden of responsibility on both users and distributors of abrasives. Inadequate training from specialist providers is also an issue.

The British Abrasive Federation (BAF) states that its members’ products meet or exceed the highest worldwide safety standards. However, despite the huge effort, that goes into the design and production of safe abrasives, when technical staffs from manufacturers are called into investigate accidents involved their products, they find that the cause is often due to poorly trained operators and products being incorrectly mounted or used.

In an effort to resolve the problem, BAF has decided that clear guidelines are required on who should be trained and to what standard if accidents involving abrasive tools are to be reduced.

Chairman of the BAF, Dr Bill Gilmour, said, “Unless purchasers of abrasives are given the correct information as to their obligations to train not only operators and users but also specifiers and buyers, then the incidence is unlikely to reduce.”

The next step is to ensure that the training being delivered dramatically improves and to that end, BAF has brought together a group of leading experts within the abrasive industry. Using guidance from the Health & Safety Executive and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment regulations 1998), together with its combined experience of recorded accidents, the team has devised a standard stipulating the content and delivery to which all abrasives safety training programmes should adhere.

Kentec are proud to have been granted accreditation by the British Abrasives Federation to provide operator training courses in the safe use of abrasive products. We see this as a step closer to abrasive wheel training been facilitated in a structured, effective and professional manner.

Respirator/Face Mask Fit Test Service

The COSHH Regulations and the associated Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) recommend that the initial selection of tight fitting respiratory protection equipment  should include a fit test. This is to ensure that the selected respiratory protective equipment has the potential to provide adequate protection for the wearer.

Kentec are pleased to offer the Moldex fit testing service in cooperation with Moldex, a leading safety product manufacturer. This fitting service offers two main benefits, firstly to make sure that the respirator itself is suited for the wearers particular face shape, and secondly to make sure that the respirator is fitted correctly to get a tight seal and ensure safety against hazards in the workplace. It is important to remember it is the suitability of the respirator that is being tested.

You should carry out a pre-use check every time you put on your respirator. Always check that it is fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions, e.g. ensure that the straps and strip for moulding the respirator around your nose are correctly adjusted, then hold the mask in place and breathe in or out sharply. You should readjust the respirator if you detect any leakage around your face or your glasses steam up when you breathe out.

FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 are designed to filter out dust only. They must not be used where there is an oxygen-deficient atmosphere or harmful gases and vapours. You should discard most non-reusable disposable respirators at the end of the shift or sooner if they are heavily contaminated. Never hang up a respirator in a dusty place for use later on.

If wearing a respirator interferes with spectacles, hearing protection or head protection, a powered visor may be more suitable. Some retailers also sell products known as nuisance dust masks or comfort masks that look like dust respirators but are not marked with CE or with any standard. They often have only one head strap. These are not intended for use when a respirator should be worn. You should never use a nuisance dust mask instead of an approved respirator when working with construction dusts, fibres, grain dust or mouldy hay, straw, grain or other material that could cause occupational asthma or in any way harmful to lung. Packaging for these masks might be labelled, ‘This product does not provide respiratory protection’, or something similar.

Full face masks cannot be tested because the test hood is not large enough for the mask fitted with a filter. For testing this product it will be necessary to use the Quantitative method (discussed below). Qualitative Fit Testing can be used not only as a test method to ensure your employees are properly protected; but also as a very effective way of training them in the correct way of fitting a mask. Dust and half masks commonly fail to do the job they are intended to do because of poor fitting and care by the user. The seal between the face and the edge of the mask is the most common problem area. You will also see users using a mask after having kept it on their head or hanging round the neck.as a test method to ensure your employees are properly protected; but also as a very effective way of training them in the correct way of fitting a mask. Dust and half masks commonly fail to do the job they are intended to do because of poor fitting and care by the user. The seal between the face and the edge of the mask is the most common problem area. You will also see users using a mask after having kept it on their head or hanging round the neck.

The test employs a hood to create a small test chamber around the users head, and a test solution.This test solution has a bitter taste. It is the same type of solution that is put on childrens toys and fingernails to stop them chewing them. As the test uses these two consumable parts and is designed to be carried out by the employer; it is a very cost effective solution for assessing the ability of the selected Respiratory Protective Equipment and the training given to protect the employee.