Choosing a face mask is a hazard question before it's a product question. What are your workers breathing, and how much of it? Get that right and the mask specification follows. Get it wrong and the mask does nothing, regardless of how it's rated.
Face Masks Do Different Jobs
Respirators (FFP-rated disposables and reusable half-masks) protect the wearer from what's in the air. They seal to the face, filter what passes through, and are what CoSHH regulations have in mind when they require respiratory protective equipment.
Type IIR face coverings are surgical masks. They protect the people around the wearer from droplets and splashes, and they resist fluid splash back the other way. They don't seal to the face, so they aren't respirators.
Which one you need depends entirely on the hazard. Airborne particulate, gas, or vapour points to a respirator. Splash risk in a medical, dental, or food setting points to Type IIR. The two aren't a hierarchy. They're answers to different questions.
Where the Risk Assessment Starts
The Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for the substance involved is the anchor for respirator selection. Once you know what you're dealing with and at what concentration, the required Assigned Protection Factor (APF) follows, and the APF points at the right FFP class or half-mask configuration. HSE HSG53 walks through the selection process in full.
For advice on which face mask fits the job, call the team on 0808 175 4375.
What do FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3 ratings mean, and which level of protection do I need?
FFP ratings indicate how much airborne particulate a mask filters out. FFP1 filters at least 80% of particles and suits low-risk, non-toxic dusts. FFP2 filters at least 94% and is the right choice for most industrial applications. FFP3 filters at least 99% and is required where workers are exposed to highly toxic or carcinogenic particles. For most workplaces, FFP2 is the appropriate standard - but always cross-reference with the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for the specific substance involved.
How do I choose the right filter type for the specific hazard my workers are exposed to?
Start by identifying the hazard - dust, mist, gas, vapour, or metal fumes each require a different filter class. Filters are colour-coded - P filters (white) handle particulates, A (brown) covers organic vapours, B (grey) inorganic gases, E (yellow) acid gases, and K (green) ammonia. For environments with multiple hazards, combination filters are available.
Is fit testing a legal requirement for tight-fitting respirators in the UK?
Yes. Under COSHH regulations, employers must conduct fit testing for all wearers of tight-fitting facepieces before use. This is because face shape and features vary between individuals - a mask that fits one person may not seal correctly on another, rendering it ineffective regardless of its rating.
Are these masks suitable for daily use in industrial or high-exposure environments?
For occasional or light exposure, disposable FFP2 masks are a practical and cost-effective choice. For workers exposed to hazards daily, a reusable half mask with replaceable filters - such as the Moldex Series 7000 - is the better option.
Can workers wear these masks if they have facial hair or a beard?
Tight-fitting facepieces - including disposable FFP masks and half masks - require a good seal against the skin to work effectively. Facial hair along the seal line will compromise that seal and reduce protection, potentially to the point where the mask offers little benefit.
What if the mask or respirator I order isn't the right fit or protection level once it arrives?
All orders are covered by Simply Safety Group's free 90-day returns policy. If the product isn't suitable - whether that's a fit issue or a protection level mismatch - return it for a full refund or exchange. Given that fit is critical to respiratory protection, it's worth ordering a fit testing kit alongside new masks if you're equipping workers for the first time.
