No-Shave November: Update On Facial Hair For Those Who Require N95 Fit Tests

With November beginning, it’s a good time to remind everyone about facial hair for those who are required to have an N95 fit test for their position. Click here for a visual aid from the CDC.

Here are a few important tips:

No-Shave November is here. While we agree that this is a worthy cause, we do not want your safety to be compromised. An N95 respirator cannot be worn with any facial hair between the face and the sealing surface of the N95. This is a Cook Children’s requirement as well as an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) federal regulation. According to OSHA, there can only be less than one day’s growth of facial hair present.

Some limited facial hair is acceptable if it is not between the face and the N95 seal. See this guidance from the CDC regarding facial hair styles that might work with an N95 if it does not interfere with the seal.  

No-shave.org encourages participation of any kind; grooming and trimming are perfectly acceptable.

References are Cook Children’s Policy HR 950 and 29 CFR 1910.134.