Workers cannot sign a release so they can wear a respirator with a beard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 18, 1984

Honorable James T. Broyhill
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Broyhill:

Thank you for your letter of November 17, 1983, on behalf of your constituent, Mr. Paul Abernathy, regarding shaving beards to wear respiratory protection equipment.

Hair where the mask edges meet the skin is not permitted for wearers of 30 minute positive pressure SCBA respirators.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

August 18, 1986

Mr. Jack Manning
442 King Street
Woodbury, New Jersey 08096

Dear Mr. Manning:

This is in response to your letter of May 5 regarding respiratory protection.

We will begin by answering your second question and then will answer the remainder of your questions in the order that you asked them.

Protection provided by powered air-purifying respirators.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 20, 1987

Mr. Darell A. Bevis
President
Darell Bevis Associates, Inc.
14640 Flint Lee Road, Suite D
Chantilly, Virginia 22021

Dear Mr. Bevis:

This is in response to your letter of February 24, concerning the use of loose fitting respirators by bearded individuals. We will try to answer the questions you raised in your letter concerning the protection provided by the loose fitting or helmet type powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR).

Use of the Racal "Breath-Easy 6" powered air purifying respirator with beards.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

July 27, 1993

Mr. John Rosenberg
Vice President
Siegwerk, Inc.
Post Office Box 10064
Lynchburg, VA 24506-0064

Dear Mr. Rosenberg:

This is in response to the question in your letter of April 26, concerning the use of the Racal "Breath-Easy 6" powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) for the protection of employees with beards.

Appropriateness of using Mag-1 Eyewear eyeglass holders with full facepiece respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

 

Facial hair in the face sealing area is unacceptable.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 26, 1985

The Honorable Christopher J. Dodd
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Nancy L. Johnson
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Dodd:

This is in response to your letter of October 29, on behalf of John F. Wildman of Bethlehem, Connecticut, regarding the use of respirators. Mr. Wildman is concerned about a provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) respiratory protection standard which concerns the fitting of respirators.

Facial hair in the face sealing area is unacceptable.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

October 11, 1984

Mr. Mathew C. Kurzius
IBEW, Local 1673
235 Columbia Street
Dunellen, N.J. 08812

Dear Mr. Kurzius:

This is in response to your letter of September 29, 1984 concerning facial hair and the wearing of respirators. We are providing the following answers to your questions.

Beards may not interfere with face seal;alternative respirators for bearded employees.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 7, 2003

The Honorable Carl Levin
United States Senate
477 Michigan Avenue
Room 1860
Detroit, Michigan 48226

Dear Senator Levin: