No shave November - safety risks?
It will soon be Movember, and that means many of your male employees may be sporting facial hair in the weeks to come.
What if staff need to wear RPE? Respirators are only effective when they are tight-fitting and flush with the skin, otherwise harmful toxins and chemicals can be inhaled, which may result in a range of health complications. Facial hair should not come between the sealing surface of the mask and the face.
Controls. You can ask your hirsute staff members to undertake weekly face fit testing, or request they trim their hair so PPE is still effective. Or consider providing powered air hoods, although this will incur extra cost to you (see The next step ).
For links to powered air hood providers, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone, year 21 issue 02.
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