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The RPE challenge in veterinary practices: different procedures create different respiratory risks

Veterinary employees can face very different airborne hazards depending on the work being carried out. Dentistry, isolation care, post-mortem examinations, laboratory procedures, cleaning and large-animal treatment may expose them to biological agents, hazardous medicines, disinfectants, powders or aerosols. 

Your assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) should identify which tasks create an inhalation risk and how that risk should be controlled. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is then used where measures such as containment, ventilation, restricted access or changes to the procedure do not adequately control the remaining exposure. The equipment must suit the specific hazard – e.g. an FFP3 respirator filters hazardous particles and aerosols, while gases and vapours require a different filter or breathing-apparatus solution.

At Fire Safe International, we can help you use the findings of your risk assessment to review suitable RPE options, testing priorities and wearer requirements for every clinical and support role involved.

How we support you:

  • 1. We help you identify who needs which RPE

    We use the findings of your COSHH assessment to identify the procedures that require RPE, the hazards involved and the employees who may carry out the work. This gives you a clear record of who needs face fit testing and which respirator each person must be able to use. The process also captures supporting roles that can otherwise be overlooked.

  • 2. We test each mask with the PPE worn for the task

    Every employee is tested in the exact make, model and size of tight-fitting respirator they will use. Goggles, spectacles, visors and other head-worn equipment can disturb the face seal, so they should be included in the test where they form part of the normal wearing arrangement.

    Qualitative testing can be used for suitable disposable filtering facepieces and reusable half masks. Full-face masks require quantitative testing under HSE fit-testing guidance. If facial hair crosses the sealing area, the employee must either be clean-shaven in that area or use suitable loose-fitting RPE where this provides adequate protection for the hazard and task.

  • 3. We train your staff to use and care for their RPE

    Our wearer training courses cover inspection, correct fitting, the pre-use fit check and the signs of damage or contamination. If your team use reusable masks, you should also have clear arrangements for cleaning, disinfection, filter replacement, storage and maintenance. These steps are particularly important after procedures involving potentially infectious material or other contamination risks. Employees must know how to remove and handle contaminated equipment without transferring material into clean areas or leaving the respirator unavailable for its next planned use. Cleaning and disinfection should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and your infection-control procedures.

What this means for your practice 

Keep higher-risk procedures on schedule

Knowing in advance which team members can achieve an adequate seal with each respirator makes it less likely that a clinical, laboratory or other higher-risk procedure will be delayed while a different mask or another employee is found.

Buy stock around the masks your team can wear

Testing gives you a clear picture of which makes, models and sizes work for your team, enabling you to narrow the core range where appropriate, retain alternatives for individual wearers and avoid spending on masks that cannot be used by the people they were bought for.

See where action is needed across every site

A group-wide veterinary testing framework helps you identify which practices have sufficient wearer coverage, where the mask choice is too limited and where retesting or alternative equipment is still needed. Each location can retain task-specific options while the wider group works to the same testing approach and record-keeping expectations.

Who we help

We work with independent practices, referral hospitals, laboratories and multi-site veterinary groups, as well as the managers responsible for RPE, infection control and employee safety.

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Fire Safe International: a scalable testing and training partnership for your veterinary practice

Fire Safe International has provided face fit testing since 1996 and has longstanding involvement with the Fit2Fit scheme through technical oversight and assessment. This experience helps us advise veterinary practices on the different respirators, PPE combinations and wearer needs found across clinical, laboratory and animal-care work. Working with us gives you access to consistent technical guidance shaped by many years of face fit testing across varied working environments.

Can testing be carried out at our practice?

Yes. We can carry out face fit testing at your practice, either individually or in scheduled staff groups. Please provide a private room with a table, chairs and space for the test exercises, together with the respirator models and sizes your staff use. Testing can also be arranged across several veterinary practices as part of a planned testing programme, with visits coordinated over one or more days to suit your wider respiratory protection schedule.

How long does testing take?

A standard face fit test may take approximately 15–30 minutes per person, depending on the tester, the wearer's preparation and whether alternative respirators need to be tried. This includes the sensitivity check, correct fitting of the respirator, the required test exercises and recording the result. Allow additional time if the wearer needs to try a different respirator model or size before achieving a pass. Wearers must be clean-shaven around the face seal. Before qualitative testing, they must avoid food, flavoured drinks, smoking and chewing gum for 30 minutes.

Can Fire Safe International train our own Fit Testers?

Yes. Our experienced trainers can train members of your team to carry out qualitative or quantitative face fit testing, as required. Training programmes cover equipment setup, correct test procedures, test exercises, failed tests, retesting and record keeping, and can be delivered either at your premises or at our training centre in Shrewsbury.

What next?

For more information, please tell us how many practices and employees you need to cover, which respirators are currently issued and whether you require external testing, internal tester training or both. Call 01743 761000 or request a programme review to discuss the most suitable arrangement.