[MCOH-EH] Facial hair and respirators

[Winters, Tom (BIDMC - Occupational Health)]

We provide same recommendation as Amy at BILH, BCH, DFCI and BU National Emerging Infectious Disease Lab. all in Boston.

   Tom Winters
________________________________
From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net> on behalf of Behrman, Amy <behrman at pennmedicine.upenn.edu>
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2022 11:35 AM
To: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh at mylist.net>
Cc: McKenna, Patrick <Patrick.McKenna at nationwidechildrens.org>
Subject: [External] Re: [MCOH-EH] Facial hair and respirators

Great visual!

Our approach is to make PAPRs freely available to staff who prefer facial hair styles that would interfere with a seal, along with education about what styles will be problematic.  My concern is that if we required anyone to be clean-shaven (or more shaven) for fit testing, they might well revert to their preferred style later and thereby compromise their protection. Amy

Amy J Behrman, MD, FACP, FACOEM
Division Chief, Occupational Medicine
Professor, Perelman School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce St
Philadelphia, PA  19104
________________________________
From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net> on behalf of Leibu, Rachel <Rachel.Leibu at atlantichealth.org>
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2022 11:27 AM
To: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh at mylist.net>
Cc: McKenna, Patrick <Patrick.McKenna at nationwidechildrens.org>
Subject: [External] Re: [MCOH-EH] Facial hair and respirators


Hi Patrick,



They must be clean shaven at the areas of contact of the respirator.  OSHA has a chart of approved and unapproved facial hair styles.  Here is the link:

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/FacialHairWmask11282017-508.pdf<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/FacialHairWmask11282017-508.pdf__;!!CvMGjuU!9gKzV1cqfS1hnxjc7gZ5hnHVKXjWAeN9zV-gcJqEL1fVdxHX674CCe4afLtsCYT8JhNMAYbLtcSylNsYO7_1lbal7xQZdtYoe2U$>



Rachel Leibu, MD, MBA, MS, FACOEM

Medical Director Occupational Medicine Services

Atlantic Health System

Clinical Assistant Professor, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

at Thomas Jefferson University



Office 973-829-4277

Cell 973-886-6708



From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces+rachel.leibu=atlantichealth.org at mylist.net> On Behalf Of McKenna, Patrick via MCOH-EH
Sent: Thursday, July 7, 2022 1:19 PM
To: mcoh-eh at mylist.net
Cc: McKenna, Patrick <Patrick.McKenna at nationwidechildrens.org>
Subject: [MCOH-EH] Facial hair and respirators



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Just taking an informal survey of the group to inquire about what policies are out there regarding facial hair for staff who might require using a respirator.



Does your institution require that staff members be clean shaven if they might need to use a respirator?

What is the policy around allowing the use of an N95 alternative, such as a PAPR?



Thanks!



Patrick McKenna, DO MPH FACOEM

Employee Health Medical Director

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

700 Children’s Drive Room  A1034

Columbus, OH 43205-2664

Office: 614-355-4135





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