Beware of suspicious PPE certificates

With an incredible surge in demand and a dislocation of the traditional supply chains, suppliers and importers, previously not known to us, have appeared offering products, especially RPE and Medical Masks. The domestic supply chain, starved of these products has been understandably desperate to access product.

PPE is a highly regulated product category, for good reason, these are life sustaining products. For the sake of the health of workers we cannot afford sub - standard product that has not been properly assessed to be placed on the market. Over the last 3 weeks BSIF has typically been reacting to more than 30 requests per day for help in authenticating certificates. At times this has been almost overwhelming.

But who would be carrying out this vital service if not BSIF? We have been supporting members who are keen to do the right thing and we are following up with non-members to ensure that only safe compliant products get through. We are working with the Trading Standards Authorities, BEIS and OPSS continually.

The image shows some of the examples of dubious certificates that are in the market, and while not accusing these companies directly, as there are forgeries around, I would draw your attention to the ECM certificate. This is a voluntary certificate allowing the use of the ECM mark, but carrying the CE logo which is actively misleading manufacturers and importers into believing that the certificate is a valid EU document. It is not. Please do not be misled. We have seen this type of scandalous practise in other institutions and have continuously called on the EU Commission for action.

The risks of product entering the market through businesses that do not know what they are doing has never been more obvious. It has never been more apparent that users should look to a Registered Safety Supplier for quality products provided by capable knowledgeable staff.

Fit2Fit and Face Fitting

In the last weeks we have all seen the media attention on the availability of face masks for workers in healthcare and social services. What the media has not seen and something which I want us all to appreciate is the work being done by the Fit2Fit accredited face fitters in the UK.

For a tight fitting mask to provide protection it needs to be adequate for the hazard and suitable for the individual. To ensure that it is suitable for the individual it must be fit tested for that person. Face Fitters around the country have been working 7 day weeks to try to cover as many people in healthcare as is humanly possible. This task is monumental and I would like to pay tribute and thank them all to a person, for this heroic effort.

Face Fitting can be up close and personal and in these difficult times, a task that carries with risk. The length and breadth of the UK the face fitting activity has gone on and on, just a fantastic effort!

In some cases where there have been logistical limitations face fitters have created and delivered on-line training with follow up personal telephone support. Training courses have been redesigned to fit available time with refocussing content to reinforce key messages on avoiding cross contamination.

The challenges in healthcare face fitting have been added to with some confusion of guidance on which mask is suitable for what application. Whether there are actually distinct differences in the advice given by Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive or not, the task of the face fitting and reassuring wearers has been fraught.

The government cabinet office team’s objective included a coordinated approach to prioritising face fitting around the UK from a central point. Advice was sought from Fit2Fit on harnessing resource and helping to point it at priority areas, this has not yet been put into action.

As well as dealing with mask supply problems we have had to support the authorities on shortages with components for face fitting kits. While our BSIF members have been doing all that they can to supply kits we have supported, through the Fit2Fit community, alternative manufacturing of fit test taste solution.

When we come out of this COVID 19 crisis it is crystal clear that a strategic approach to face fitting as well as the availability of PPE in Healthcare is absolutely essential for preserving the health of the UK workforces.