We currently have a matter under review concerning one of our personnel who needs to have BA ready to go whilst working on the job, recently he haas been warnedfor not shaving as the criteria is all personnel should be clenaly shaven so that if the BA is needed the correct seal can be actioned.

He as now presented us with a doctors letter advising that he as multiple skin tags on his neck and shaving could infact risk trauma and bleeding whihc could cause infection.

Could/can anyone present me with any reasonable argument and also advsie if you have dealt with a situation like this and how you overcame the obvious dilema.

I look forward an intelligent reply, thank you

You haven't said what the BA is for and what type you use but have you considered other forms of protection that do not rely so heavily on the tightness of face fit but are more like the hood or snood type?  These are not so susceptible to disruption due to beard growth so could be an alternative if suitable to your application.   He could also have the skin tags removed so that he could shave again.

Simple really, if he is not adhearirng to the safety rules (put in place for his beneift), then he cannot do the job safely. If he can't do the task as per thr RAMS he can't do it safely, in which case he is removed from the job, the site or the task. 

Had one removed at the doctors off my back after picking part of it off, then it becoming a problem. 

the doctor said they are a bit of a faff for them as they don't get paid sufficiently for their removal to justify the time and materials that it takes to do, and should really refer to the hospital now as their surgery has a clinic but it wasn't getting sufficient throughput to justify it. I said it had been ruining shirts and needed sorting asap, and to his credit he did it a bit later the same day.   

all that they used was in effect a "medical soldering iron" (to cauterise the wound) and a scalpel to chop it off, then bit of iodine solution, swab and some tape. 

as a way forward, perhaps offer to see if there was a way of getting them removed, as the alternative seem like there is going to be a standoff between need to do it and unwillingness. 

seems however to be a different issue as they went to the doctors to get a note, perhaps the same doctor could resolve the problem to make him compliant, or speak to occ health to go for treatment via a letter from them to the doctor.  

seems to me that the individual has found a way to relinquish the role and get it given to someone else or there is potential for the hr interaction leading to dismissal and then tribunal, neither side would benefit, so a compromise is in order if desired, (which you express as an intelligent reply).

perhaps a without prejudice meeting with HR and you in attendance for a period if they refuse to address with occ health or their own doctor. note there could be an extended delay for the procedure waiting time, and you would have to have some sort of plan as to what to do in the interim, and then once that's in place. there would be questions as to why that couldn't contine longer term, so will have to get to them either doing it or not.  

there isn't going to be a middle ground as the others will also look to see whats acceptable as you're going to set a precident, so it's a question of how they get the messaging in an appropriately compliant way to take further via hr, (if needed to dismissal), whilst remiding them that they could get the issue resolved by getting it chopped off if it's in an actual area where it would affect the fit of the masks, and other masks would miss them

if they don't want to work there, or don't want to be employed with your organisation, perhaps the sooner they look the better. perhaps showing them this note would allow you to remain independent, whilst suggesting the options available, and evaluating pro's and cons. 

Don't know if redundancy is where they want to go or get to, or compromise agreement, however it would be easier for all concerned if they get back to where you are all in it working for the same objectives. 

someone in an organisation mentioned that they had employees they would be sad to loose, and some that they would be less so. depending on the categorisation, it may be a full and frank conversation that convinces all parties of the best outcome to the situation.  

If face fit is that critical the workers probably need to shave DURING a shift.

Changing the tack slightly I have had several situations where the tight fitting half-mask has failed to protect the health of the wearer, the reason being that the mask only covers part of the face (and head). Where the chemical is a (skin) sensitiser and airborne, this type of mask leaves a large area of extra sensitive skin exposed. The exposure can be below the WEL but still sufficient in someone already sensitised to elicit an allergic reaction. When dealing with inhalation exposure how many risk assessments also consider this aspect?

Chris