Posted By Berg Pete There is no need for one on Safety Grounds. Risk assessment will identify whether any item of jewellery, clothing, hair or anything else causes a risk or prevents proper use of PPE for example then appropriate measures can be decided on.

Posted By Berg Point taken Linda, but surely any policy decision taken based on an initial risk assessment. A blanket policy is just that, and derrogations may at times be justifiable, based on risk assessment.

Posted By Berg Linda I'm the railway construction industry, but i will bear in mind to check specific requirements/guidelines for future reference. You never know when it may crop up. Thanks

Posted By John J Pete, the only restrictions we have on jewellery are based on our clean shaven/face fit tests and also on product quality. The first is common sense in that any obstruction of the seal will defeat the object of wearing the respirator or other form of close fitting PPE such as goggles. The second is based on our quality team not wanting jewellery falling into product. You'd be surprised how easily butterflys come off ear rings and stones drop out of other items.

Posted By Merv Newman I did once meet a man who was missing his ring finger. He told me it happened when he jumped out of the back of a lorry and his wedding ring got caught. The signet ring I am wearing today once had to be cut off after it got squashed by something falling on my hand. Have heard of others who got caught on racking or similar. Jewelry is usually banned in food industries as are (less often) cosmetics. I can also understand the care industries concerns. I once had to implement a "no-jewelry" policy at my site. (wasn't my idea at the time) The trickiest was wedding rings. Both men and women wear them here and taken it off is regarded as a sign of actual or impending infidelity. My wife, as a nurse, was expected to keep our wedding ring covered with sticking plaster as it was difficult to wash underneath. Fortunately for my wallet she never ever wears any other kind of jewelry. Bliss. And I won't be checking for navel rings at the next restaurant I audit. (but maybe I could build that into the HACCP checklist ?) Merv

Posted By Merv Newman I can see the problem for refuse loaders. Some have to manipulate 6 foot high bins which can be overflowing, leaving dead nappies and other odd bits of domestic refuse dangling at about face height. Earrings, necklaces, cheek, nose or eyebrow jewelry and, maybe, the odd tongue piercing could be a significant risk. This afternoon I saw a guy with about 6 rings pierced into the side of his neck. One for each tattooed Japanese character. Novel. I reckon a full bio-suit with supplied air is the only suitable PPE for a dustman. That should sort out the navel piercing controversy as well. Merv