I am new here and this may have been discussed but I will post looking for some help.

I work in Louisiana and work in the petrochemical industry. I  am hoping to get some clarity on the resp protection regs as it relates to clean shaven policies.

I know what 1910.134 states but have a question about applicibility. Some of our sites in the same are require a clean shaven policy and other do not. Our refinery and chemical plant require it but the plastics plant and lube plant do not require it. I am looking into it but some other sites around the country may not and I was wondering where the line could be drawn so to speak. Any help would be greatly appreciated. i can give more details via email if necessary

 

thanks

Safety Bug,

Take a look at the attached link from OSHA. OSHA states in the interpretation:

(i) 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 with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function.]

 

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=22273

What is your specific question?

MikeCJ

i guess i wasn't clear now that I read. I understand about the facial hair and the sealing surface. Some of out plants here in LA are different some require the employees be clean shaven while others do not. I am trying to determine how they can say it is a compliance issue at out plant but the plant 5 mintes away doesn;t have to be clean shaven. I don;t know much about their operration other than they are a plastics plant and we are a chemical plant. Does the determination of  following the standard is if they have a respitory protection progam or is it the type of atmoshphere they are working in. I have several people I work with who want to wear a beard but cannot and just wanted some clarification. hope this clears it up

What Mikecj stated is correct.  If the respirators are required, then the employee must be clean shaven!  This is for their own protection, so they do not breathe in the hazardous substances. They way to get around this is to wear a hood.  The Amish need to have it this way.  Why would anyone want to risk their life over a beard?  If the beard is that important, they need to find another job.

Good luck.

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Safety Management '82
Indiana State Univ.