Why head straps matter for compliant face masks

Filtering facepiece (FFP) respirators are available in cup-shaped and fold-flat styles, depending on wearer preference, and are intended to form a close seal to the face to reduce the inward leakage of hazardous substances.

At Arco Professional Safety Services, we have long advised against tight-fitting respirators that rely on ear loops. HSE research has shown that the performance of close-fitting Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) cannot be relied upon when the mask is secured by ear loops rather than head straps, even when clips or snugging devices are used.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business and Trade, is responsible for helping keep unsafe and non-compliant products off the market. It has introduced a restriction on tight-fitting half face masks, which means that, to meet PPE Regulations*, your FFP face masks should not depend on ear loops to stay in place.

Airborne contaminants may be difficult to see, but the health impact on your workforce can be significant. With around 19,000 new cases of breathing or lung problems reported each year, effective respiratory protection is critical. If you buy your FFP face masks from Arco, you can be confident they are designed with straps that fit behind the head rather than ear loops.

Ensuring your respiratory protection programme is airtight

At Arco Professional Safety Services, we help businesses choose the right face masks for their workplace hazards, tasks and environments. Our respiratory specialists provide expert guidance on selecting suitable Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), so you can be confident your people have protection that is both appropriate for the risk and suitable for the wearer.

Our expertise goes beyond product selection. Arco Professional Safety Services supports businesses with respiratory consultancy and risk management, respiratory management programme implementation, workplace air monitoring, face fit testing, air purity testing, lung function testing, specialist training and more. This joined-up approach helps you manage respiratory risks more effectively and maintain confidence in your compliance arrangements.

To find out more, explore our respiratory protection services, and discover how our experts can help you build a safer, more effective approach to respiratory protection.

*The Department for Business and Trade Notice states that the EN 149:2001 + A1:2009 standard does not satisfy the essential health and safety requirements as defined in Annex II to Regulation 2016/245 and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (as incorporated into UK law) as regards this type of product and should therefore be published with restriction and the extent of the presumption of conformity does not cover the respirators/masks which rely on ear loops.