Document 44eJbnXo6qoK4RyB3wjG9rOQp

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration WASHINGTON, D.C. 20210 Mr. Joseph Michael Sullivan Industrial Hygiene Engineer Anno Incorporated Middletown Works Middletown, Ohio 45043 II I --------------- 1 1 M0N 2 | Dear Mr. Sullivan: This is in reply to your letter of November 15, 1978, regarding respirator face seal. You are seeking clarifica tion of 29 CFR 1910.134 (e)(5): "Respirators shall not be worn when conditions prevent a good face seal.. Such conditions may be a growth of beard, sideburns,"a skull cap that pro- - jects under the facepiece or temple pieces on 3 glasses." I Facial hair which lies between the respirator sealing surface and the skin can cause leakage around the facepiece and reduce the effectiveness of the respirator in providing the necessary protection from airborne contaminants. Since prop er facepiece fit is basic to an effective respiratory pro tective program, it is the employer's responsibility to assure that each employee is properly fitted and an adequate seal is maintained. In almost all circumstances this will require: the Wearer*s face to be clean-shaven where the res pirator seals against it. The specific necessities of shav ing or trimming facial hair will vary from individual to individual. However, if the extent of the beard growth cf an employee would impair a proper respirator seal, the employer would be iri-violation of this GSHA regulation. The standard was designed; to protect the health and safety of workers to clarify our position. If I can be of - fh%CT|a^gSsf'staiice feel free to contact me Sincerely, \-- R. Hays Bell, Ph.D. Director of Technical Support C 003427 LAM023094 'fiVrf-'Vv*:*-.1 LAM023093