Masks have change into a everlasting accent for a lot of U.S. employees. Unfortunately, facial hair makes masking troublesome. Some employees required to put on private protecting gear, like respirator masks, discover it particularly exhausting. You might even marvel, how can males with full beards put on N95 masks?
An N95 respirator masks is a protecting gadget made to suit tightly in opposition to the face to filter 95% of particles from the air getting into the nostril and mouth. As a consequence, males with full beards can not put on N95 masks safely or successfully. Facial hair that comes between the pores and skin and masks edges prevents a decent match and good seal.
So what can males do if they’ve facial hair however want respiratory safety? There are choices for males in such conditions. Read on to seek out out.
Jobs Requiring N95 Respirator Mask Protection
Many jobs require respiratory safety. Here are only a few of the employees which may be required to put on an N95 masks in on-the-job conditions.
- Painters and Carpenters
- Laboratory and Healthcare Workers
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air (HVAC) Technicians
- Engineers
- Manufacturing Workers
In many of those jobs, facial hair is just not allowed. Therefore, some men choose to shave their facial hair.
Unfortunately for a few of these employees, going clean-shaven causes issues. Sometimes shaving causes antagonistic results.
The face and neck are delicate elements of the physique. Facial shaving might end in some very uncomfortable pores and skin situations. Problems created by shaving might embody folliculitis, painful pores and skin infections, and hyperpigmentation. For males affected by important well being situations like these, limiting and even avoiding shaving could also be obligatory.
A shaving waiver, also referred to as a shaving profile or “no-shave waiver,” may also help people with sure situations. A shaving profile is a medical launch or exemption type. The doc, accomplished by a doctor, explains why a person shouldn’t be required to shave his face on account of well being issues.
Shaving waivers enable men to forgo shaving and get the precise respiratory safety for them. Men with facial hair shouldn’t have to threat inhaling unsafe vapors.
Alternative Forms of Respirator Protection
Some respirator masks don’t require a face seal. These sorts are a greater choice for bearded staff.
Specifically, positive-pressure respirators worn over facial hair or beards work to filter the air. A hood-and-helmet kind masks makes use of steady airflow to guard staff.
One instance that’s obtainable to employees is named the Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) masks. This loose-fitting respirator makes use of a blower to move air via a filter earlier than sending it to the face. Typically, PAPR masks are light-weight and battery-operated. Also, PAPR masks don’t require Fit-Testing.
One disadvantage is their value. Most staff wouldn’t need to put money into their very own PAPR. Those in search of a PAPR respirator can buy a easy model on-line for round $100. However, some are upwards of $1000. Batteries and chargers might double the expense.
Although these masks are extra expensive, they provide superior safety. According to this article by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a PAPR masks might supply an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of 1000, the place an N95 respirator solely has an APF of 10. The greater the safety issue, the safer it’s.
Medical Evaluation for PAPR Respirators
The use of a PAPR masks does require a doctor’s medical analysis. It is a respirator, and subsequently OSHA’s necessities to judge an worker earlier than requiring the masks applies to this sort.
Men with full beards can discover respiratory safety that received’t trigger well being issues or pores and skin situations. The first step is a medical analysis by a licensed doctor.
Men fascinated about discovering out if a PAPR masks or shaving waiver for his or her employer could be proper for them ought to discuss to a health care provider.
Connect with Our Board-Certified Physicians
My Virtual Physician now affords consultations for shaving waivers in some states. Fill out the contact type under to talk to certainly one of our board-certified physicians a couple of shaving waiver.
