Rules on False Eyelashes

We have an employee that we have sent home due to false eyelashes, to be honest I had not noticed they were false as they looked so natural. They are the individually placed lashes that you have to go to a professional to get removed. We are getting push back that they are not a risk as they are just like natural lashes and she can't remove them as they "are a part of her".

Has anyone else dealt with this and how have you handled it? Our current plan is they have to get them removed if they are going to continue working with us as we don't want to start having to make exceptions here and there, that just makes more problems down the road. 

Ideally, you should do a hazard analysis - but I don't see how it could be done. Unfortunately, food safety/hygiene rules are same for everyone without exceptions. This time, you allow to have false eyelashes, next time somebody'd state that their wedding ring or nose piercing ring is "part of them" - and what would you do, make exceptions on and on? But let's see what other members say: they might have this experience

I don't make exceptions.   Just like O said, you give um an inch, they want a mile.   Lose the eyebrows or find other employment.   It's harsh from their point of view, and I get that, but it is what it is.  Tell her she's so pretty, she don't need no fake brows!  

We have an employee that we have sent home due to false eyelashes, to be honest I had not noticed they were false as they looked so natural. They are the individually placed lashes that you have to go to a professional to get removed. We are getting push back that they are not a risk as they are just like natural lashes and she can't remove them as they "are a part of her".

 

Has anyone else dealt with this and how have you handled it? Our current plan is they have to get them removed if they are going to continue working with us as we don't want to start having to make exceptions here and there, that just makes more problems down the road. 

You did the right thing. Think of it like acrylic nails done in the salon. Both are attached well but will come off over time.

I agree with what you did. Eyelashes fall off,...and where will they go?

Been there, done that. I'd even bring out the policy acknowledgement she signed (gmp handbook possibly) and show her where it states "no false eye lashes" and any other gmp trainings she has signed off acknowledging this. 

If you do it for one, you will have to do it for everyone. It's not worth it. She can either lose the fake lashes or lose the job-it's her choice. 

We added it to the false nails / nail polish section in our GMPs. During my research I queried woven and "permanent" false eyelashes and it was specifically stated that they are designed to fall out like your natural eyelashes which showed in the risk assessment that it basically doubled the risk of introduction of "biological" contaminants which is unacceptable for food safety as well as Quality. We had one person come in trying to make a good impression with new false nails, piercings and false eyelashes. She lasted about a week once I made her remove all of the false stuff. It's unnecessary introduction of a contaminant that can be completely prevented. Stick to your guns.

No means no.

I'm the lone wolf on this one then.  It was an original rule of ours from way back when.  But then we had some push back with some realistic arguements.  Eyelash Extensions - do fall off when your regular lashes shed... so the arguement is, if real eyelashes shed, whats the difference... then its a risk period and we aren't asking for natural eyelashes to be removed, we also have men with VERY furry eyebrows - which also aren't covered.  So we just moved to safety glasses period - this has been accepted by our auditors.  

And workers can opt for gloves if they want to wear polish or false nails. 

Our product is also enclosed in tanks and hoses as its liquid.

We did a risk assessment and the auditors have never questioned it.  

I'm the lone wolf on this one then.  It was an original rule of ours from way back when.  But then we had some push back with some realistic arguements.  Eyelash Extensions - do fall off when your regular lashes shed... so the arguement is, if real eyelashes shed, whats the difference... then its a risk period and we aren't asking for natural eyelashes to be removed, we also have men with VERY furry eyebrows - which also aren't covered.  So we just moved to safety glasses period - this has been accepted by our auditors.  

 

And workers can opt for gloves if they want to wear polish or false nails. 

 

Our product is also enclosed in tanks and hoses as its liquid.

 

We did a risk assessment and the auditors have never questioned it.  

Your enclosed process is how you are able to allow it. As someone who has worn fake eyelashes for a wedding (before I worked in food production), they are different than regular eyelashes. Fake ones usually are attached and come off in a clump/set. They are held in by glue. Real lashes usually fall off one by one unless someone is rubbing their eyes which is also not allowed in production. Real eyelashes tend to be a finer hair. Fake eyelashes are worn for a person to have their eyes stand out.

As for eyebrows - those usually just don't come out. Anyone who's had their eyebrows waxed or plucked can agree - it hurts and takes some effort to pluck them out.