Scenario: employee with full beard wanting to use a half-face respirator. Normally, and in accordance with all the usual guidance, I would not even consider face fit testing but would just look at the other options instead (exclusion from hazard areas, hood type respirator or shaving). However, our face fit tester was persuaded to do a qualitative fit test which was an unambiguous pass. Given the face fit result, is it still right to prohibit use of the mask? What is the justification for this, really?

Timely. We have recently taken on a number of new employees so we conducted (via external consultant) fit testing yesterday. One of the new guys has a full beard, another also failed due to 3 days stubble growth :-( Now in a......ahem......debate with production supervisor after I expressed my disappointment that his personnel failed to heed the request to turn up clean shaven. Production supervisor now asking me if he should not hire anyone with a beard. We have another bearded guy who has a hood so looks like we'll need to invest in another one for the new beardy guy. As for the stubble guy who failed, retest for him next week where he promises to attend clean shaven. Not sure if you've seen it Kate but there is a comprehensive study by HSE in effectiveness of masks versus time without shaving. On HSE website, look for RR1052. My take, based on my skimming of it last night, would be that it would be difficult to countenance and/or justify the use of any close fitting RPE on anyone wearing a beard. Even, I'd suggest, irrespective of the results of the fit test that your guy somehow passed.

Sorry Kate can't be an unambiguous pass on a qualitative test. the guy could just be lying about tasting the bitrex or saccharin to get his own way

The bitrex etc test is "just" confirmation that the face fit training is understood and properly carried out. To get an adequate seal you must be clean shaven If you are not clean shaven the training cannot proceed The pass is the understanding of how & why the RPE fits properly, not avoiding the taste sensation.

We have recently gone through a similar issue. We use air fed respirators in some production areas but those who infrequently work in those areas or work there for short duration have to wear close fitting masks. We went through the education piece and still had people who did not want to shave, they were then reminded of the risk assessment findings and the PPE policy that included RPE and the requirement to be clean shaven. In the example of maintenance personnel, our biggest resistance, we told them that as they do not work in the areas every day then if they were required to do so they could shave in work and would be given time. We still had resistance such as we'll need 30 minutes and are we paying for their shaving kit (£70 a month each was quoted). So they were told in no uncertain terms that if they failed to follow their training, risk assessments findings and the PPE policy then there was no work for them and they would be sent home, needless to say problem solved. The disappointing part for me is we did a lot around education and engagement through both the H&S committee and the individuals but it took the threat of being sent home to resolve it. But to be fair to them I haven't had an issue since.

I am a trained qualitative face fit tester after recently completing the course with a recognised provider. On the course we were required to be tested ourselves which I duly completed (hood and Bitrex). The disposable masks were not suitable for me but the half masks were suitably effective. Oh! Just for clarification, I have a beard (albeit short). So it is possible to achieve a suitable seal.

from HSE website about competent testing: "Facial hair – stubble and beards – make it impossible to get a good seal of the mask to the face."

Many people with a beard will pass the face fit test using Bitrex or its sweet alternative. This is solely down to the method used. The Bitrex is sprayed in in the form of an aerosol and it is the very tiny droplets that get around any gaps between the face and the mask. With a beard the aerosols become trapped in the beard and do not reach the mouth/nose area. However vapours or gases will pass through the beard. That is why HSE say that beards are a no no. Take care JohnC

Hi all, Ive been reading this post with interest and my apologies for jumping on it, but does anyone know of any case law, tribunals etc that have come from someone being disciplined as a result of refusing to shave for no good reason?? Thanks

I have not heard of any, however surely the HSWA 1974 would be a good defense for any employer... Section 2 - General duties of employers to their employees. (1)It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees. (2)Without prejudice to the generality of an employer’s duty under the preceding subsection, the matters to which that duty extends include in particular— (a)the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health; (b)arrangements for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances; (c)the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees; (d)so far as is reasonably practicable as regards any place of work under the employer’s control, the maintenance of it in a condition that is safe and without risks to health and the provision and maintenance of means of access to and egress from it that are safe and without such risks; (e)the provision and maintenance of a working environment for his employees that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe, without risks to health, and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work. Section 7 - It shall be the duty of every employee while at work— (a)to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work; and (b)as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.