14 replies to this topic

[Cheese89]

I would like to know the acceptable beard lengths in the food industry that do not require employees to wear a beard net. My facility manufactures cheese, and most employees have direct contact with food. Is there a specific length at which employees are required to wear a beard net?

 

Here are the beard length categories:

Clean-Shaven (to establish a baseline)

Stubble (0-3 mm)

Short Beard (4 mm-15 mm)

Medium-Length Beard (16 mm–7.5 cm)

Long Beard (7.5 cm and longer)

[Setanta]

My very unscientific bar is "If I can pull it, it needs a beard net". Most folks aren't willing to let me try, so they wear the beard net.

[TimG]

I have frequently seen either 3mm be the threshold for beard net requirement, or a set 'x days growth'. Now that you've posted the length descriptions, the <3mm makes sense. 

The FDA CGMP 117.10 (6) says: Wearing, where appropriate, in an effective manner, hair nets, headbands, caps, beard covers, or other effective hair restraints.

I don't ever recall seeing an actual length requirement in a GFSI code, but some BRC vets might chime in here on this one.

[G M]

You do not want to be measuring peoples hair.  It is both impractical and a socially awkward HR problem waiting to happen.  

 

Just require a beardnet for anyone who is not clean shaven; or disallow facial hair, or require everyone to wear a balaclava style hairnet.

 

 

Someone here had a good story about a bearded lady auditor.

[SQFconsultant]

Stubble gets the net.

 

I know of no specific length for a beard, only the specific length of a blade of grass at Red Roof Inn -- yes, QA Inspectors for RRI measure the blades of grass.

[GMO]

Oh I bloody hate this... but you have to have a rule.

 

If you choose "not clean shaven" there are guys by the end of the day who look anything but.

 

If you choose "if you can pull the stubble" then people quibble about that instead.

 

I'd say I've had fewer arguments on the latter.  And if someone suggests a woman in the team needs to wear one, direct them to HR and make them do some work for a change.

 

But please please please... choose these ones:

 

And not these ones.  Why?  Because while the latter will work on long beards, they will do f all for short beards, moustaches or stubble and people will think you're a loon for making them wear one.

 

[GMO]

Sorry about the ENORMOUS pictures.  

[TimG]

I don't think I've ever seen that second version. It looks like fish net stockings...

[GMO]

I don't think I've ever seen that second version. It looks like fish net stockings...

 

I've seen it in a couple of low risk factories in the UK.  That's a pretty good description to be honest.  Except less saucy!  

[SQFconsultant]

I don't think I want any employees wearing fishnet stockings on their faces - it's just, well you know.

[MDaleDDF]

I don't think I've ever seen that second version. It looks like fish net stockings...

Haaa, my band plays that Stray Cats tune.   

In my place, clean shaven, or wear a beard guard.   I'm clean shaven, and I wear one ANYWAY just to let employees know I ain't messin around....

Edited by MDaleDDF, 10 February 2025 - 07:14 PM.

[Scampi]

Clean shaven or a beard net-those are the options

 

and YUCK, cheese?  A dark hair is going to be so obvious

 

if they don't like it, they are free to get another job

 

Put it in perspective, my SO is a firefighter, if they can be clean shaven (for the SCBA to fit properly) and go into a burning building to save a life, you're blokes can manage a shift with a beard net on

 

 

Let me know which cheese house you're in so I can but the other manufacturers cheese please

[beautiophile]

My very unscientific bar is "If I can pull it, it needs a beard net". Most folks aren't willing to let me try, so they wear the beard net.

I like the idea. It also overcomes the loophole concerning extrusive nostril hairs.

[chrisrushworth]

i agree with the above, if you can pinch/pull it needs to wear a beard snood....

 

Staff should understand this, as they don't want hair/foreign bodies in there own food so why in the food they are producing...

 

 

 

The netting is shocking, wouldn't suggest..

 

However, if people have long hair, the netting then a mob cap works very well!!!

[GMO]

 

 

However, if people have long hair, the netting then a mob cap works very well!!!

 

Agree.  Long hair and curly hair are difficult to keep inside mob caps.  A net first is brilliant.