On Wednesday 30 September, we hosted Behind the Mask, a health and safety day run in partnership with the British Furniture Association (BFA) and Didac, with PPE specialists JSP joining us for the afternoon's PPE sessions and a live face fit demonstration.

Those who came along enjoyed a full day of practical sessions on the workplace health risks that are easy to miss, from noise and airborne dust to stress. Everyone left with a certificate for 4 CPD hours.

If you couldn't make it, here's a look back at what was covered.

Welcome from the BFA and ROHS

The day opened with a welcome from the British Furniture Association, followed by an introduction from the ROHS team.

Legislative update with Didac

Didac started the morning with an update on health and safety law, looking at what's changed, what's coming, and what it means for employers in practice.

Hearing health surveillance with ROHS

Our first session focused on hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, but it's also preventable. Regular hearing checks (audiometry) are one of the best ways to spot early changes before they become a lasting problem.

We looked at when employers need to provide hearing checks under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, what happens during a check, and how the results should feed back into the way noise is controlled on site.

Respiratory risks you can't see with Didac

Dust, fumes and vapours aren't always visible, but they can still cause serious, long-term lung disease. Didac's session looked at the airborne hazards that are easy to overlook in everyday workplaces, and why you can't judge the risk by what you can see.

Failure to fit: face fit demonstration with JSP

A tight-fitting mask only protects the wearer if it seals properly to their face. JSP gave a live face fit demonstration, showing what a fit test involves and how easily a poor fit can let contaminated air in. Stubble, the wrong size or model, or a mask worn incorrectly can all lead to a "failure to fit".

Behind the Mask: your PPE with Didac and JSP

After lunch and a chance to catch up with the speakers, the afternoon opened with the session the day was named after. Didac and JSP took a closer look at PPE: choosing the right equipment for the job, using it properly, and making sure it actually protects the people wearing it.

Stress in the workplace with ROHS

Not every workplace risk can be measured with a meter or a mask. Our second session turned to stress, which HSE figures show is one of the biggest causes of work-related ill health in Great Britain.

We talked about the signs to look out for, why stress should be managed like any other health and safety risk, and the practical steps employers and managers can take to support their teams.

Q&A, key takeaways and a spot quiz

The day finished with an open Q&A with all of our speakers, a round-up of the key takeaways and a Family Fortunes-style spot quiz to see what everyone had picked up. A special mention goes to our General Manager, Helen Yates, who made a brilliant Family Fortunes host. Delegates then received their certificates for 4 CPD hours.

Five things to take back to your workplace

Noise damage can't be undone. Hearing checks catch early changes while there's still time to act.
Don't judge respiratory risk by what you can see. Some of the most harmful dusts and fumes are invisible.
A mask that doesn't fit doesn't protect. Anyone wearing tight-fitting RPE needs a face fit test.
PPE is the last line of defence. It works best alongside other controls, not instead of them.
Stress is a health and safety risk. It needs assessing and managing like any other hazard.

Thank you

A big thank you to everyone who helped make the day happen: Trevor from JSP, Joanna and Phil from the BFA, Stevie from Didac, and John Caffrey from ROHS. And thank you to everyone who came along and got involved.