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@mylist.net> on behalf of Leibu, Rachel <Rachel.Leibu@atlantichealth.org>
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2022 11:27 AM
To: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Cc: McKenna, Patrick <Patrick.McKenna@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

 

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

 

WARNING: This message originated from outside of Atlantic Health System. Any attachments or links should be carefully considered before proceeding. Messages from our business partners still need to be reviewed and should not be opened if suspicious.

Please use the report phishing button to report a questionable email.

 

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