1974 Rapport Ltd

Face fit testing and asbestos training from Staffordshire

1974 Rapport Ltd is a health and safety training and testing business founded and directed by Nathan Wilkinson-Jones, who describes himself as the company's lead tester and trainer. The name refers to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the primary legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. The company was incorporated in 2016 and operates from a base on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border, which it presents as a central position for working throughout the UK and occasionally beyond.

Its activity centres on respiratory protective equipment (RPE) face fit testing and asbestos training, supported by a network of testers and trainers that the company says it selects individually for client deployments.

RPE face fit testing

The company carries out face fit tests on close-fitting respiratory protective equipment, including filtering facepieces such as FFP3 masks and reusable half and full face respirators. It offers both the qualitative method, described on the site as the "taste test" and suited to reusable and disposable half face RPE offering particulate protection, and the quantitative method.

The material explains the regulatory background: the CoSHH Regulations 2002 and the PPE Regulations 1992 (as amended 2002), supported by HSG53 and INDG479, require close-fitting RPE to be adequate and suitable, and a face fit test is presented as the accepted way of demonstrating suitability. It also notes that wearers must be clean shaven in the face seal area, both for the test and when the mask is used, and cites HSE data of approximately 12,000 UK deaths a year associated with work-related respiratory disease, many of which it says are preventable with correctly specified, worn and fit-tested RPE.

Train the tester courses

For organisations that want to manage face fit testing in house, 1974 Rapport runs a "train the tester" course built around INDG479 and the fit2fit Companion. The syllabus covers RPE selection, inspection, donning and doffing, pre-use checks, fit test theory and limitations, the test method, equipment, diagnostics, and an introduction to the applicable legislation, ACOPs and guidance documents. Learners are assessed in both theory and practice before certification.

Two formats are offered: an internally certified course and a more in-depth BSIF fit2fit approved train the tester course. The company states it is one of only three organisations currently able to deliver the fit2fit approved version. Courses are aimed at small groups or individuals and are taught by a fit2fit accredited tester; the company also presents them as preparation for a BSIF fit2fit assessment.

Asbestos awareness and non-licensed training

1974 Rapport delivers IATP approved Asbestos Awareness and Work with Non-Licensed Asbestos courses, which the company says can be verified through the IATP. It also develops bespoke training packages and delivers courses on site nationally, stating that it holds the equipment required to do so. The asbestos courses are presented as aligned with CAR2012 Regulation 10.

The founder's background is given as several years in the HSE-licensed asbestos industry, including planning, managing and auditing asbestos projects, liaising with surveyors and analytical companies, dealing with the HSE, local authorities and the Environment Agency, specifying and inspecting equipment and working on HSE licence renewal. Face fit testing can be combined with the asbestos training as part of the same service.

Wider health and safety training

Beyond asbestos and RPE, the company lists fire safety, manual handling, first aid, work at height and ladder safety, abrasive wheels, CoSHH and sharps among the training and advisory services it can provide, tailored to client requirements. It says it works with established and accredited training providers as well as directly with employers.

Accreditations, equipment and credentials

The company cites membership and accreditation with fit2fit, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) and IATP, and lists 1974 Rapport Ltd in the fit2fit directory of approved testers and trainers. The founder holds a NEBOSH Diploma (Dip NEBOSH) and IOSH membership (Cert IOSH).

A shop section covers RPE and related supplies: filtering facepieces, reusable half face respirators, full face respirators, powered air (PAPR) systems, filters, and face fit testing equipment and consumables. The site also publishes resources including asbestos awareness material, health and safety resources, a blog, videos and a guide on how to wear a face mask.