Beardy Ban Berated

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02 June 2017 | Updated 01 January 1970

Unite, is expected to be joined by faith leaders in  condemnation of a decree by outsourced housing maintenance company Mears, which bars workers from having beards.

Employees were told of the move tool box talks - the most notable was in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets - a culturally diverse area with a high density of Muslims.

Unite now claims to have obtained a letter that states: 'This is now a Mears nationwide policy for the entire company'. Mears is apparently claiming that the ban on beards and the requirement on all workers being clean shaven is so that workers can 'wear appropriate dust marks effectively'.

According to Unite, Mears claims that all workers have to be clean shaven in order to be safely fitted with a tight fitting face mask when working in dusty environments. The only exceptions the company is willing to make is if a worker can’t shave for medical reasons, a dust mask can’t be worn for medical reasons or a person has a beard for religious reasons. The letter also states a ‘goatee’ may be acceptable.

In the first two cases a medical certificate is required and for religious reasons the worker needs to provide a letter from a 'church/mosque/synagogue/temple etc'. However the letter also states: 'Even in the above circumstances, this is not a disclaimer, and not guaranteed.'

Fit testing

The union claims that while facial hair can affect tight fitting face masks (the cheapest option) other forms of masks which have their own airflow such as helmets, hoods and visors can be safely used with a beard. However, ThisWeekinFM is aware that for certain hazardous environments, proper fit testing is and HSE regulation. Masks that can be interfered with by a beard, simply should not be in use.

Hair raising

Unite regional official for London Mark Soave said: “The arrogance of Mears is hair-raising. This is a highly delicate issue, which has huge cultural, religious and personal issues and where sensitivity should be the watchword. Instead members have been handed a decree from on high. This is clearly a case of Mears going for the cheapest option and amounts to ‘penny pinching stupidity’. Other forms of masks are available and these should be offered to existing workers."

Unite national health and safety adviser Susan Murray said: “An employer should first assess the risks presented by exposure to hazardous substances, then identify the steps needed to adequately control the risks; put them into operation and ensure they remain effective. The use of Respiratory Protective Equipment may be one of the control measures but the wearing of face masks should be a last resort and priority should always be given to eliminating the risk. 

“Before any policy is introduced there should be full and proper consultation. It is crucial that the policy recognises the diversity of the workforce and the principle that workers should be consulted and given a choice of several correctly specified types of RPE so they can choose the one they like.”  

Picture: Has the beardy fashion turned Mears to the right?

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 02 June 2017

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