Beards in the workplace?

[jmeehan]

I know there are alot of firefighters on the TDR, I'm hoping some of you read this and can help me out.

I'm a marine engineer working on the ferry's for the state of Alaska. Today I recieved word that the state was going to begin a no faciel hair policy. I've had my beard since before I as hired by the state eight years ago and it's never been a problem. Now they're worried about bearded crew members not being able to serve on fire fighting teams if needed. I've never had a problem getting my SCBA mask to seal. I'm wondering what different fire departments regulations are concerning faciel hair. I've heard about SCBA masks that seal on your neck so faciel hair is not an issue. Can anyone direct me to a manufacturer or web site?

Any other advice? After four years in the Navy I hate grooming standards. Thanks.

 

[Hummin Cummins]

I keep a beard through the winter and have never had trouble getting a seal, but I keep it trimmed close. If they wanted to get technical, no more than 2 day growth is what our SOP's call for. We keep disposable razors in our junk bags for confined space rescues at work. Nothin worse than a dry shave with a bic.

 

[smartineau]

In Washington (state), we can't have a beard. Right now I have one due to an injury and being off work, I like having a beard, and the boss lady likes me having a beard also.



About ten years ago when I was hurt I grew a beard, and tried to do some checking into why we can't have beards. As I recall it was some state law that was 20 years old or so (and that was 10 years ago so now 30 years ago). The lawmakers said no beards on the recommendations of Labor and Industries saying that firefighters could not get a good seal. So the law has passed and stayed. But in the past 30 years many advances have been made in SCBA's. They are now all required to be positive pressure and have PASS alarms that activate when you turn on the air. We also must have an annual 'fit test'.



The only thing I can see in not having a beard and wearing an SCBA is that if you don't get a good seal you could have a lot of blow by and run out of air sooner. But the same can be said for those that don't get a good seal on their baby butt smooth face and they can run out of air. If you can get a good seal it certainly should not matter.



I don't know for sure on where to start to look for help but start in the state laws, you could try to get some information out of MSA, Scott, Ranger, or some other air pack makers. But I doubt they will be much help they always seem to get sued when a FF dies, so they will want to stay out of it or say you can't get a good seal and we recommend not having a beard.



Good luck!



steve



I think just a year or two ago Oregon made some volunteers shave off their beards or quit, and as I recall several quit.

 

[Champane Flight]

It %$#^s

We have had a company no facial hair policy for the last 13 years. It started out with NO facial hair, including mustache. I came close to quitting, until they came back with trimmed mustache. I do miss a beard and used to grow one every winter. We have tried to fight it and get no where, as it is company policy and we have to be respirator ready at all times. Even if we have only had to use them one time in the last 13 years! Three more years and I will be out of this chicken outfit.

 

[illflem]

Same law applies to pesticide applicators. Luckily the state dept of Ag realizes there are new technology breathing protection devices where a beard is no problem. The inspectors let it slide even though it is against the law.

 

[The patriot]

They frown on facial hair here.

Some jobs here require no facial hare, but I'm in the steam plant, so it really dont apply to me.

I do have to go to an annual SCBA mask fitting, but as long as it seals, nobody says anything until the next fitting.

If youre on the ERT team(Emergency resopnse team), no hair PERIOD!

I know of someone here that didnt get a promotion because he didnt shave his (taliban like) beard.

Hell, I work next to a million gallon tank of pentane, if there's a problem, a gas maks is the least of my worries. :-laf

Eric

 

[TboneMan]

Check with your local OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) rep. I believe they have jurisdiction in this matter.



A local manufacturing plant, that has their own fire brigade, had a "pit" fire. A brigade member donned his SCBA (and other gear) and proceeded to extinguish the fire.



Something happened during the evolution and guy ended up being killed. The guy had a beard. OSHA of course find the heck out of the company.



You also have to consider insurance coverage (or denial) and litigation issues.





I have a brother-in-law who is in a volunteer department that doesn't enforce the "no beard" policy. He was in a hardware store fire (lots of nasty stuff in that one). Somehow, he got some of this nasty stuff inside his mask. Upon exiting, he began to vomit violently. He had a beard.

 

[JR2]

I work for a major oil field service comapany (our stuff is Blue) and we have a beard and no long hair policy. It is a direct result of the oil compaines policy that is no beards.

On the rigs I work on they all have no beards policy. The funny thing is that we have dozens of Scott Air packs around and all of them are positive pressure packs, meaning that they blow air out all the time so a seal is not needed. Also we are not allowed to do anyting but escape with these packs.



I too think its a stupid rule and grow my gotee back every two weeks off.

 

[jmeehan]

Hmm... lots of people are in the same boat I'm in. That's no surprise, I was sure I wasn't the only one with this problem.

So if it's a law or regulation that requires no facial hair what about changing it to read facial hair is allowed if a leak proof fit can be acheived? Anyone here ever tried getting a law or regulation changed? Any idea where to start? Any idea who to contact? Anyone know of any Senators or Representatives with a beard?