Arco Hits Face-fit Testing 50,000 Milestone

Arco has achieved an historic milestone following the completion of the 50,000th face-fit test, as part of its programme of respirator protection and fitting services being delivered to NHS and social care sector in Scotland.

In 2020, while health services were struggling to source PPE and ensure all their workers were adequately protected during the Covid-19 pandemic, Arco stepped in to supply essential PPE and face-fitting services to Scotland's health and social care sectors, with the business continuing to supply NHS Scotland successfully and reliably; to 50 local hubs for distribution to over 2,700 sites. Arco is continuing to ensure the nation's dedicated health and social care professionals are ready, whenever they may need to rely on respiratory protection.

Over past three years, Arco has supplied 200million surgical masks, seven million FFP3 masks and 10million visors. Arco has also supplied 200million gloves and one million medical type coveralls.

In addition to products, Arco worked with hospital teams throughout Scotland to deliver a face-fit testing programme, ensuring facilities, estates and clinical workers felt safe and were protected with correctly fitting FFP3 masks - the type that forms a seal around the face to protect healthcare workers when the risks mean a simple face covering isn't enough. As people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, it's a legal requirement and crucial that healthcare workers have a fit test to make sure their mask won't leak, and they know which masks are suitable for them to wear.

Dougie Logan, Healthcare Key Account Manager, said:

"A big thank you to our team of fit testers who have made this possible.

"I feel so proud we've been able to help those most in need. Thousands of people, both in and out of the NHS, have been protected thanks to the time and expertise of our colleagues. It was a huge team effort."

To ensure staff continue to benefit from the highest level of protection, it is recommended that face-fit testing is undertaken every two years or sooner to accommodate any physical changes to the wearer, such as weight loss or gain or things like new glasses that might affect how a mask fits.

Keith Moir, Healthcare Specialist at Arco, said:

"In the past two years, we've efficiently managed over 7,000 days of Fit2Fit approved testing at over 20 hospitals across Scotland for workers on both day and night shifts.

"As experts in safety, with a core purpose of keeping people safe at work, ensuring 50,000 frontline NHS and social care staff across Scotland have been face-fit tested is an important milestone.

"In addition to the Fit2Fit testing, in-person and virtual support has been provided to clinical staff wearing respiratory protection and we have also organised face-fit training for over 300 NHS staff across Scotland, delivering bespoke sessions, as well as ongoing coaching and mentoring for staff so they themselves can be trained to Fit2Fit standards, the scheme that helps ensure fit testing meets legal standards. Several have gone on to pass their Fit2Fit examination, a big achievement."

To find out more about the importance of face-fit testing and the services, click here.