Replies

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 02, 2009 04:26pm | #1

   I have used a "powered respirator" for years when I do lathe work. They (mine) are excellent. There is a rubber skirt at the bottom that does not fit tightly, therefore should work OK over a beard. The flow of fresh air from the top down is refreshing.

   Frosty

   "I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

2. 
   BruceS | Jan 02, 2009 05:40pm | #2

   OSHA's respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) specifies certain requirements for employers to follow when their employees must wear respirators. The standard states that the employer cannot permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face, or that interferes with valve function. While the standard does not ban beards per se, it does require employers to ensure that bearded employees who are required to wear tight-fitOSHA's respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) specifies certain requirements for employers to follow when their employees must wear respirators. The standard states that the employer cannot permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face, or that interferes with valve function. While the standard does not ban beards per se, it does require employers to ensure that bearded employees who are required to wear tight-fitting facepieces trim their beards so that they do not interfere with the sealing surface of the respirator or are not so large that they could interfere with valve function.
   ting facepieces trim their beards so that they do not interfere with the sealing surface of the respirator or are not so large that they could interfere with valve function.

   This may answer you question about using half face respirators. Wiskers arn't much of a filter ;-)

   A powered positive pressure mask is the way to go.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

   
   

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   Edited 1/2/2009 9:43 am ET by BruceS

1. 
   northhouguy | Jan 03, 2009 05:41am | #3

   Bruce,

   You are right in what you say, but let me tell you about something I saw a long time ago.

   When I was a GI we trained with the Dutch soldiers.  We were clean shaven, but they all had big, full, bushy beards.  They wore US gas masks just like us. 

   When we would have gas training they never had any problems getting a gas mask to seal over those big beards. 

   I always wondered about that years later when the OSHA reg went into effect.  One guy I know still thinks that the OSHA Secretary's wife ran away with a bearded guy.  So the reg went into effect to punish those with facial hair...

   Happy New Year

   Fred

1. 
   PeterDurand | Jan 03, 2009 05:59am | #4

   Prior to retirement I was an airline captain. The (north american)company forbade us to grow a beard on that same basis (oxygen masks in case of decompression). However it was noted that a number of other first world airlines had no such restriction. Turns out that there are masks out there that are certified for beards under a certain length. Turns out it was just a matter of PR for the management.Cheers,Peter 

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...