Fur and feathers flew as the construction company Mears banned its employees from sporting beards unless they cannot shave for medical reasons, a dust mask cannot be worn for medical reasons or a person has a beard for religious reasons - but they must bring a valid doctor's note or letter from their place of worship. Goatees are acceptable also as long as they don't interfere with seal between the mask and the face.
A letter was circulated to their operatives this week stating: "Operatives who work in a potentially dusty environment - all of ours - must come to work clean shaven to be able to wear appropriate dust masks effectively."
The Unite union immediately reacted by accusing Mears of handing out a decree without consideration for "cultural, religious and personal issues and where sensitivity should be the watchword", as well as penny pinching by not offering alternative masks.
Unite national health and safety adviser Susan Murray said: "The use of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) may be one of the control measures, but the wearing of face masks should be a last resort and priority should always be given to eliminating the risk."
Meanwhile, Mears group health and safety director Mark Elkington told the Guardian: "The simple fact is that no dust mask can work effectively unless it forms a seal against the skin. That is not possible with a beard or even heavy stubble."
According to guidelines issued by the Health and Safety Executive, facial hair makes it "impossible" for dust masks to seal properly on to people's faces.
"If you are clean-shaven when wearing tight-fitting masks (ie those which rely on a good seal to the face), this will help prevent leakage of contaminated air around the edges of the mask and into your lungs. You will therefore be breathing in clean air, which will help you stay healthy.
If there are good reasons for having a beard (eg for religious reasons), alternative forms of RPE, that do not rely on a tight fit to the face, are available."
You can find out more here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/respiratory-protective-equipment/fit-testing-basics.htm.
Alternatively, contact me Steve Newton at Isosure Limited if you need detailed guidance on PPE or assessing risk regarding air quality, safe working with asbestos and other environments when legislation requires workers to be provided with face masks.
