The use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), such as the Scott Air Pac, is not acceptable for bearded employees under emergency conditions. Facial hair that lies along the sealing area of a respirator, such as beards, … Response: The Respiratory Protection standard, paragraph 29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A), states that respirators shall not be worn when facial hair comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function. National firefighter guidelines only restrict certain types of facial hair (this is to ensure firefighter SCBA masks get a good seal to protect your lungs). To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. NOVANGLUS,osha does not state NO FACIAL HAIR 1910-134 states :(a) the employer shall not permit respirators with tight- fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece or interferes with the valve function.In letters of interpretation of the standard from OSHA dated 1984,85,96 and 2003 OSHA has repeatly stated that … From time to time, letters are affected when the agency updates a standard, a legal decision impacts a standard, or changes in technology affect the interpretation. Assistant Regional Administrator These two guidance documents and others can be found on the Respiratory Protection Safety and Health Topics page at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/index.html. Is facial hair allowed? The employer would be in violation of [1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A)] if a bearded employee wore a SCBA under a true emergency situation. A copy of the pertinent section of the respirator standard that applies, [29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i-iii)], is enclosed. The majority of Fire Departments across the globe have grooming and safety policies pertaining to facial hair, which all vary. The DLS standard is consistent with the OSHA standard: Facial hair is . Our letters of interpretation do not create new or additional requirements but rather explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances. For emergency use, there is an escape hood with a continuous flow of air and a fifteen-minute service life which usually can be worn by bearded employees. Functionally, that bars employees with a range of longer, fuller facial hair from using respirators and, therefore, filling job roles where these devices are required. Short mustaches, sideburns, and small goatees that are neatly trimmed so that no hair compromises the seal of the respirator usually do not present a hazard and, therefore, do not violate paragraph 1910.134(g)(1)(i). Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma 73523. the employer cannot permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face, or that interferes with valve function. 235 Columbia Street . But damn it follow the rules in place by OSHA, MSHA, NFPA, and every scba manufacturer or find something else to do. . It states that respirators shall not be worn when conditions prevent a good face seal. Facial hair is allowed as long as it does not protrude under the respirator seal, or extend far enough to interfere with the device's valve function. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. Question: If an employee with a neatly trimmed goatee is wearing a respirator and it does not interfere with the seal of the face piece or valve function, and has passed a fit test, does this meet the intent of the OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard? DLS will follow OSHA interpretation which allows some, but not all, types of facial hair. . Operational Firefighters generally can not have beards or facial hair, with most departments requiring its Firefighters to be clean-shaven for every shift (or have no more than one day’s worth of facial growth). However, that … Mr. Mathew C. Kurzius Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. Facial Hair Friendly Respirators. The ruling quotes from a May 9, 2016 OSHA Interpretative Letter stating: The Respiratory Protection standard, paragraph 29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A), states that respirators shall not be worn when facial hair comes between the sealing surface of the … for Technical Support, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Short mustaches, sideburns, and small goatees that are neatly trimmed so that no hair compromises the seal of the respirator usually do not present a hazard and, therefore, do not violate paragraph 1910.134(g)(1)(i). This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Only members with a properly fitting facepiece shall be permitted by the fire department to function in a hazardous atmosphere with a SCBA. Respirators of this type that have been approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are available on the market. Facial hair in the face sealing area is unacceptable. Mr. Matthew Sands We are providing the following answers to your questions. Thomas Galassi, Director Your letter requested clarification on OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, which addresses facial hair and respirator fit. The beard growth can significantly reduce the service life of the air cylinder on the SCBA which could restrict the performance in the emergency operation. Why in 2014 are we still talking about facial hair and scba use? SCBA - Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Personnel – volunteer members and career employees Policy: 1. And, if you’re looking for more information, check out OSHA’s full respiratory protection guidelines. continued and a recent OSHA written interpretation on the subject has surfaced. The SCBA wearer can "overbreathe" when moderately heavy to heavy workloads are performed. 1. These rules are in place to keep you safe. The OSHA requirement for respirators has been interpreted as: When a respirator is required, an employer is prohibited from allowing respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have “facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function. ... What are requirements to refill SCBA cylinders? Your paraphrased question and our response is below. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Health Enforcement at (202) 693-2190. Facial hair that lies along the sealing area of the respirator, such as beards, sideburns, moustaches, or even a few days growth of stubble1, should not be permitted on employees who are required to wear respirators that rely on tight facepiece fit to achieve maximum protection. A. OSHA in paragraph (g)(1) of 29 CFR 1910.134 and paragraph 1503.e of OPNAVINST 5100.23series both state: 1. is permitted Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. It's simple, you want to wear scba be clean shaven. not permitted. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Absolutely not. In general, however, beards present serious problems for tight-fitting facepiece respirators because their texture and density vary daily, causing unreliable respirator fit and, therefore, present a higher potential for leakage. 606 F Avenue 2. This letter constitutes OSHA’s interpretation only of the requirements herein, and may not be applicable to any questions not delineated within your original correspondence. Responding is Victoria Frank, senior product marketing manager, respiratory, Honeywell, Morris Plains, NJ. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn't allow for facial hair in 29CFR1910.134, either. Facial hair shall not interfere with the face piece assembly seal and other hair … However, when a respirator must be worn to protect employees from airborne contaminants, it has to fit correctly, and this will require the wearer's face to be clean-shaven where the respirator seals against it. Accordingly, mustaches, sideburns, and small goatees that are trimmed so that no hair underlies the seal of the respirator present no hazard and do not violate [1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A)]. Such conditions may be a growth of beard, sideburns, a skull cap that projects under the facepiece, or temple pieces on glasses. Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function; or 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(B)Any condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function. This regulation does not ban facial hair on respirator users, per se, from the workplace. If you’re looking to get ready for No Shave November or you just hired an employee with facial hair, here are some popular facial hair respirators to keep in mind. When administrative or engineering controls have not kept workplace exposure to air, contaminants within OSHA's established permissible limits, then appropriate respirators must be worn by the exposed employees. Since the SCBA is used in unknown concentrations for unspecified lengths of time, maximum protection must be achieved when the SCBAs are worn. However, some other types of respirators do not require a face seal, and thus, usually can be worn with facial hair, such as loose fitting powered air-purifying respirators and hooded powered air-purifying respirators. OSHA has addressed similar questions and outlined the Agency’s interpretation in letters posted on OSHA’s public website, www.osha.gov. We hope this information is helpful. I know the OP didn't mean for that topic to come up. It has been brought to the attention of NIOSH through phone calls and emails from respirator users and manufacturers that some respirator manufacturers may not understand what NIOSH defines as the sealing surface for respirators and consequently are inappropriately marketing respirators for users with facial hair. A Department may elect to have a stricter policy. To assure that you are using the correct information and guidance, please consult OSHA’s website at http://www.osha.gov. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. OSHA regulations clearly state that respirators can't be worn when facial hair interferes with the device's seal to a worker's face or impedes the function of valves. This is in response to your letter of September 29, 1984 concerning facial hair and the wearing of respirators. Question: If an employee with a neatly trimmed goatee is wearing a respirator and it does not interfere with the seal of the face piece or valve function, and has passed a fit test, does this meet the intent of the OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard? Your letter has been referred to the Directorate of Enforcement Programs for an answer to your question. in the area where the outer edge of the SCBA facepiece contacts the user’s face, and is not permitted if facial hair contacts or interferes with the function of the inhalation or exhalation valves. “OSHA’s respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) specifies certain requirements for employers to follow when their employees must wear respirators, . Please note that proper fit of respiratory protection is *NOT* possible for males who have facial hair which extends below or beyond the upper lip. Thank you for your letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Cathie M. Mannion IBEW, Local 1673 Facial hair that lies along the sealing area of a respirator, such as beards, sideburns, or mustaches will interfere with respirators that rely on a tight facepiece fit to achieve maximum protection. OSHA’s interpretation of facial hair and respirator fit OSHA cites firm for workers with facial hair wearing respirators OSHA official explains recent noise policy politics (2/28) New VelocityEHS industrial hygiene software simplifies compliance with OSHA’s respirator fit testing regulations Facial hair . This letter constitutes OSHA’s interpretation of the requirements discussed. Personnel with a beard or facial hair growth coming into contact at any point with the area of an SCBA facepiece designed to seal with the face shall not engage in activities involving the use of an SCBA… Standard Number: 1910.134 (g) (1) (i) 1910.134 (g) (1) (ii) 1910.134 (g) (1) (iii) OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Answer: The short answer? OSHA 1910.134(g)(1)(i) states, “The employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting face pieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the face piece and face . We hope you find this information helpful. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. See 3/7/2003 and 4/1/2011 letters of interpretation to Senator Levin and Mr. Randy Southard, respectively (copies enclosed). Facial Hair and OSHA. We recommend that if recalcitrant licensees continue to allow … A PortaCount is a machine that measures air pressure inside the mask. Dunellen, N.J. 08812. - 08/18/1986 1910.134(g)(1)(iii) - Protection provided by powered air-purifying respirators. facial hair prohibition policy is because it causes leakage of contaminated workplace air into the respirator where it is then inhaled by the wearer. He couldn't believe it when three … Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. 12-17-2012, 01:13 PM. After a recent call, one of the chiefs was talking about the recent OSHA visit to the factory he works in. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. Supersedes Facial Hair/SCBA Use Memo dated August 8, 2002 Date: May 6, 2013 ... defined by NIOSH and OSHA shall be clean shaven, except for the option of a well trimmed mustache. .”. The OSHA Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) specifies certain requirements for employers … Directorate of Enforcement Programs, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respiratory Protection Standard, Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard, http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/index.html, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. This question comes up quite a bit, especially now that it’s popular and fashionable for men to have facial hair. In general, this means that the respirator must be of an appropriate size for the worker's face and that facial hair and scars or other irregularities must not interfere with the seal and that these devices are not to be worn unless the worker has passed an appropriate qualitative or quantitative fit test. The section of the respirator standard that applies, 29 CFR 1910.134 (g) (1) (i) (A), requires employers to prohibit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face. The areas of the skin, which contact the face or neck seal and nosecup seal, must be free of any hair. Furthermore, the beard can interfere with the sealing of the exhalation valve and shortening the service life of the air supply. If there is a leak caused by the beard, the air contaminant could be pulled inside the facepiece. They were there to do fit testing for industrial breathing apparatus. Facial hair in the face sealing area is unacceptable. OSHA does not specify who may fill SCBA cylinders. In addition, OSHA’s Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respiratory Protection Standard (#3384) and the compliance directive, Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard, CPL 02-00-158, provide additional information. 3. respirators for users with facial hair. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)) state “the employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have: (A) Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function; or (B) Any condition that interferes … Facial hair is allowed as long as it does not protrude under the respirator seal, or extend far enough to interfere with the device's valve function. The enclosed OSHA reading is clear and direct--OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134(e)(5)(i) prohibits facial hair in the seal area. 1910.134(g)(1)(iii) - Hair where the mask edges meet the skin is not permitted for wearers of 30 minute positive pressure SCBA respirators. The standard ([1910.134(g)(1)(i-iii)]) only applies to those employees who need the protection of a tight-fitting facepiece respirator, either routinely or in emergencies, because of such overexposure. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. . OSHA and Navy policies on facial hair are identical and are reproduced below. OSHA requires respirators to be used when they are necessary to protect employees against overexposure to air contaminants. Your letter requested clarification of OSHA's policy on facial hair, specifically hair at the temples, and use of a self-contained breathing apparatus. - NFPA 1500; NFPA 1404, Fire Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Program; and NFPA 1981, Open-Circuit SCBA for Fire Fighters, don't allow facial hair, which may keep a face piece from sealing properly. This includes *all* levels of respiratory protection, beginning with N95 masks (the lowest level), and extending to full face, supplied air (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, or SCBA, which is SCUBA without the “Underwater” part). OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. OSHA’s requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Facial Hair – OSHA standard 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) states that employers “shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting face-pieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the face-piece and the face . This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. There are currently no federal guidelines that say that firefighters can’t have long hair. 1. .” NFPA 1404 A.6.6.2(7) states, “ Beards or facial … 1910.134 (g) (1) (i) (A) Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function; … 1910.134(g)(1)(ii) It does not matter if hair is allowed to grow on other areas of the face if it does not protrude under the respirator seal.