Need guidance on requirements for Beard Nets?

Is there any literature or law on beard net or how long the beard should be to wear beard net?


thanks

There is nothing specific in legislation, but customer standards are beginning to crack down on this topic. We use the phrase "beard snoods must be worn after 2 days facial hair growth." Afterall, everyone's facial hair grows at different rates. It has so far not been challanged, and is vague enough to cover the hungover on audit day.

There is nothing specific in legislation, but customer standards are beginning to crack down on this topic. We use the phrase "beard snoods must be worn after 2 days facial hair growth." Afterall, everyone's facial hair grows at different rates. It has so far not been challanged, and is vague enough to cover the hungover on audit day.

That sounds pretty reasonable.
I usually tell my guys (and ladies ) that if you think you have to ask, you need one.

That sounds pretty reasonable.
I usually tell my guys (and ladies ) that if you think you have to ask, you need one.

Ha ha! Yes, at the risk of being labelled sexist, I will update my programme accordingly!

Dear Tiger,

Yr specific legislation likely depends on where you are however I don’t remember seeing any specific country laws quoted on this forum.

It is maybe of interest that hair is not necessarily considered a safety related contaminant. Some might not agree of course. Eg –

In the terminology of HACCP systems, "hazard" refers to conditions or contaminants in foods that can cause illness or injury. It does not refer to certain other undesirable conditions or contaminants such as insects, hair, filth and spoilage, which would be considered in the context of a broader quality assurance system.

http://www.fao.org/docrep/X2100T/X2100t08.htm


Previous discussions here on this topic hv provided mixed opinions, eg –

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__44685

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__43893

BRC6 global food standard contains something like –

7.4 Protective clothing
Employees or visitors to production areas
Suitable company-issued protective clothing shall be worn by employees, contractors
or visitors working in or entering production areas.

7.4.1 The company shall document and communicate to all employees, contractors or visitors the
rules regarding the wearing of protective clothing in specified work areas (e.g. high-care or
low-risk areas). This shall also include policies relating to the wearing of protective clothing
away from the production environment (e.g. removal before entering toilets, use of canteen
and smoking areas).

7.4.2 Protective clothing shall be available that:
- is provided in sufficient numbers for each employee
- is of suitable design to prevent contamination of the product (as a minimum containing no external pockets above the waist or sewn on buttons).
- fully contains all scalp hair to prevent product contamination
- includes snoods for beards and moustaches where required to prevent product contamination.
Etc,etc.(7.4.3 - 7.4.6)

The above text essentially avoids the decision IMO. Most companies prefer to avoid ambiguous hygiene rules IMEX although one can find examples of both approaches in the literature (maybe also related to local legislation) –

Eg, (1) flexible,

Snoods should be provided for use by people with beards and/or moustaches based on risk assessment.

kk1 - WQA standard, 2011.pdf   1.1MB   228 downloads
(pg 22)

(2) more rigid –

3. Personnel hair and facial hair shall be fully enclosed within the hair-net cap or facial hair snood while in the processing area.

kk2 - haccp manual, 1999.pdf   4.73MB   176 downloads
(pg 3)

Rgds / Charles.C

PS you may find this sort of parallel thread of interest also -

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__55742

thanks guys

We have used a measure 1/8 inch, but who is going to get that close to measure.

We say , if it looks like a beard, it's a beard.

If it's too long to fit in the berard net, it's time for a trim, or find a new job.

I'm not a beard wearer myself, but to my experience : beard hair is not the easiest hair to fall off :)

I think eye brow hair is more risky when it comes to contaminations !!!!

Maybe we should wear the beard snoozes over our eyes ? :)

just a side thought

I have not seen any regulatory requirements regarding beard nets. This has always been a topic of discussion as it isn't straight forwards. As others pointed out, there is more risk in having eye lashes or eye brow hair fall out then 2mm long beard hair. If you put a length down, are you going to go around measuring the hair-that would be my concern with putting an actual length down. What about moustaches? I think because it is a difficult subject, most auditors don't question it. If you have someone with a long beard working with product-there is more of a risk to this "contaminating" product, but it is more of an aesthetics issue than food safety concern.

I own a dairy plant and we produce cheeses the artisan way, therefore hair is one of our problems. Since we use scrubs to clean and sanitize our hand up to the bicep, me are all lacking arm hair (as if we have shaved). Here comes my question. I don't allow facial hair, beard or mostach of any type or length, this is in our company policy for every person who works directly in the plant (office does not apply) so from cheese maker to lab personnel all must be shaved. Is there some kind of law in the US or something avoiding me from asking such a thing? It is my policiy but you know how people get when it comes to freedom of speach, dress, etc. Could I get in trouble with this?

I own a dairy plant and we produce cheeses the artisan way, therefore hair is one of our problems. Since we use scrubs to clean and sanitize our hand up to the bicep, me are all lacking arm hair (as if we have shaved). Here comes my question. I don't allow facial hair, beard or mostach of any type or length, this is in our company policy for every person who works directly in the plant (office does not apply) so from cheese maker to lab personnel all must be shaved. Is there some kind of law in the US or something avoiding me from asking such a thing? It is my policiy but you know how people get when it comes to freedom of speach, dress, etc. Could I get in trouble with this?

 

I have had direct reports who I required to be clean shaven.   We fogged with dichlorovous and my guys were the team that cleared the building for entry.  As such, they were required to wear breathing masks, and facial hair impedes the seal. 

 

This was definitely something HR took into consideration - the job descriptions when posted & acceptance letters included a provision of no facial hair.  Other than notifying an employee that being clean shaven was required to fulfill job duties, there was no extra HR work for being clean shaven.   (Lots of extra blood testing, training,  etc involved on the pesticide release front though)