Facial hair and FFP3 face masks
Smokefree and social distancing
Facial hair and FFP3 face masks
Where an FFP3 type face mask is required ALL staff MUST be fit tested to ensure the mask fits correctly and safely to their face.
Beards, stubble and facial hair cause a common problem when using FFP3 face masks, as they prevent the mask being able to safely seal to the face and the fit test will fail.
To protect the safety of our staff, it is therefore a reasonable management request for a manager to ask a member of staff to remove facial hair to ensure a successful fit test. The only exceptions to this are if the facial hair is for:
- Religious reasons
- Medical reasons
- Disability reasons
Should the member of staff be resistant to the request, the reason needs to be clearly established and understood by their manager so they can then determine if any adjustments are possible.
Unless there is a religious/medical/disability reason for not shaving, it could be considered that an individual has failed to reasonably avert danger posed under health and safety. The staff member would not be justified in refusing to work if they do not have the correct PPE to undertake their duties.
Should this situation arise with a member of staff, managers should in the first instance explain the risks associated with FFP3 masks and having facial hair and ask the member of staff if they would be willing to be clean shaven to eliminate any risks.
Managers should talk with the staff member to understand the reasons why they cannot be clean shaven e.g. is it a religious reason?
Depending on the reasons given by the employee for refusing to shave, managers are asked to consider the following:
- The staff member undertakes alternative duties in a lower risk area where an FFP3 mask is not required
- The staff member is assessed for a PPE hood/helmet following a risk assessment that states no other alternatives are possible. (hoods/helmets are more expensive than face masks and require a couple of hours’ training, which may mean it is not a feasible solution in all cases depending on the circumstances of the deployment to a shift)
Smokefree and social distancing
Staff are encouraged to be positive role models to patients and the public by maintaining a smokefree environment and to strictly adhere to the 2m social distancing rules.
Please remember that as a smokefree Trust staff are not permitted to smoke on Trust premises, during working hours or in workwear/uniform in areas adjacent to the Trust. This also applies to e-cigarettes. Line Managers are entitled to ask employees to change their clothing if they determine that the Smokefree Policy has been breached.
If staff do smoke when not on duty please remember to maintain 2m social distance at all times.
Help and support is available for anyone who wishes to give up smoking by accessing the community Stop Smoking Services on extension 4332 for Whiston Hospital; 01744 586247 (option 4) for St Helens Hospital; the national NHS smoking helpline on 0800 0224332; or by visiting the website: www.smokefree.nhs.uk. People are four times more likely to quit with the help of a healthcare professional than by willpower alone.