The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is looking into the effectiveness of respirators for workers with facial hair who use beard bands. Beard bands, which can be made from silicone or rubber, help keep facial hair in place.
NIOSH is seeking participants among respirator and beard band manufacturers for this important project.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of effective respiratory protective devices, especially for healthcare workers. In response, NIOSH has initiated a study to assess how well respirators fit on individuals with facial hair, both with and without beard bands.
The first phase of the study will focus on filtering facepiece respirators approved by NIOSH.
Subsequent phases of the study could include other types of tight-fitting respirators, such as elastomeric half-mask respirators and full-facepiece respirators.
A key part of the study involves the Simulated Workplace Protection Factor (SWPF). This metric measures the ratio of contaminants in the air compared to inside the respirator under simulated work conditions.
The goal of the study is to provide vital data that can support policies by both OSHA and NIOSH. These policies will help determine if beard bands can be used effectively with different types of respirators, including filtering facepiece respirators and particulate EHMRs or full-facepiece respirators.
Such information could help employers meet OSHA respiratory protection requirements and improve compliance with safety guidelines for workers with facial hair across various industries.
Letters of intent to participate in the study should be submitted by September 23. This effort aims to explore more inclusive safety solutions for workers who sport beards, potentially leading to broader adherence to safety standards.