Qualitative Fit Testing (QLFT) is suitable for persons who must wear RPE with a tight-fitting facepiece (disposable and reusable half masks) to carry our work activities may result in harmful substances contaminating the air in the form of dust, mist, vapour, gas or fume. 

Note: QLFT is not suitable for full-face masks.

Candidates will receive an Expedient QLFT report that meets the requirements of INDG479 Guidance on respiratory protective equipment (RPE) fit testing.

1 Year

RPE - Candidates must provide their own RPE to be fitted.

PPE - Wearers should wear any other PPE that could potentially interfere with the fit of the facepiece during the fit test.

Facial Hair - Remember that tight-fitting RPE will only provide effective protection if the wearer is clean shaven, so they should also be clean shaven when fit tested.

Facepiece fit testing is a method of checking that a tight-fitting facepiece/Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) matches the wearer’s facial features and seals adequately to their face. It will also help to identify unsuitable facepieces that should not be used. The performance of tight-fitting facepieces depends on achieving a good contact between the wearer’s skin and the face seal of the facepiece. People’s faces vary significantly in shape and size so it is unlikely that one type or size of RPE facepiece will fit everyone. Inadequate fit will significantly reduce the protection provided to the wearer. Any reduction in protection can put the RPE wearer’s life in danger or may lead to immediate or long-term ill health.

In accordance with HSG53 Respiratory protective equipment at work, employers should make sure each wearer of RPE with tight-fitting facepieces has a fit test.

Qualitative fit testing (QLFT) is a pass/fail test based on the wearer’s subjective assessment of any leakage through the face seal region by detecting the introduction of bitter or sweet tasting aerosol as a test agent.

When booking this course, candidates must inform us of exactly which make RPE they use at work. Once booked, they must bring that mask (or 2) with them for the fitting.

Candidates must be clean shaven.

All candidates must bring with them one of the following forms of ID:

• A valid passport – no more than 6 months out of date
• A valid UK photo driving license - no more than 6 months out of date
• A photographic employee ID card 
• A photographic ID card from an awarding body (e.g. IPAF, RTITB, NPORS)

If you do not have any of the above, please contact us for further information.

If this course is eligible for a short course grant, please ensure we have your levy number before the course start date, and your candidates provide their national insurance numbers on the day of the course. Without this information, we cannot claim the levy on your behalf and take no responsibility for the grant not being claimed.