The Problem

As many as 12,000 people die each year in the UK because of improper protection from airborne hazards in the workplace and a further 400,000 days are taken off sick – making a significant impact on the economy.
In the UK it is a legal requirement that employees required to wear RPE be appropriately Fit Tested and that proper records are kept in accordance with HSE and COSHH guidelines.
Failing to comply could lead to serious fines, employee ill-health or even death.

Through hundreds of site-visits, we found that time-and-time again ineffective reporting and record keeping of RPE activity was directly leading to staff working in high risk areas without access to sufficient respiratory protective equipment. Furthermore, any RPE that was in-use, was often being worn incorrectly. If RPE records are not constantly kept up-to-date, employers could be liable for a substantial fine.

“Employers are required to keep fit test reports for at least 5 years from the date of testing and up to 40 years under health surveillance, because often there is a long period between exposure and onset of ill health.” Health & Safety Executive, OC282/28

For large organisations with high levels of staff turn-over, keeping track of who has been Fit Tested on which RPE and when can be troublesome.
But with Vigilant Safety Solutions ® it doesn’t have to be.