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COVID-19 risk assessments may require safety masks

Some employers are reducing the risk of exposure to their employees by providing special safety masks called Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE).

These masks are ideal for many sectors that can come into contact with large numbers of people on a regular basis.

 

Employers who operate in the following sectors should consider using RPE as part of their standard risk assessment during COVID-19:

  • Care workers in domiciliary care or care homes

  • Funeral directors

  • Medical professions

  • Security

  • Retail

  • Transport

  • Construction

Not every employer will need to have RPE as part of their risk assessment.

…But…

For employers that have decided they need RPE, you must also provide a face-fit test from a competent person to make sure that the masks used are suitable for the person wearing the mask.

  • Not all people have the same shape and sized faces. Not all masks are suitable for all people. There is no ‘one size fits all’ mask available on the market today.

  • Any employer who is not providing face-fit testing with RPE equipment faces prosecution from the Health and Safety Executive.

  • Better Safety provides competent, FIT2FIT trained testing for employers throughout Liverpool, Cheshire, and Manchester.

If you are not sure if you need RPE for your staff, you can contact us for free to discuss your risks.