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I have been informed that some residential aged care facilities are using big rubber strips (exercise bands) tied around the beards of men so that they can be fit tested without shaving their beards. I have conducted a bit of research and have found that in some industries in particular wood working, they do this but can’t find anything regarding it’s use in health. Has anyone heard of this? and is it acceptable?
Thank you for your time.
Hi Karen,
Its called The Singh Thattha technique
There is some information out there.
AS/NZS 1715 requires that employees be clean-shaven the day of the fit test and prohibits any facial hair in areas where the respirator comes into contact with the face
In summary, there are no exceptions regarding facial hair and any tight-fitting respirator (negative or positive pressure) to comply with AS/NZS 1715.
https://respfit.org.au/new-as-nzs-1715-ruling-document-from-standards-australia/Victorian trial:
The Singh Thattha technique
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/quality-safety-service/the-singh-thattha-trialRMH-developed mask technique given green light across Victoria
https://www.thermh.org.au/news/rmh-developed-mask-technique-given-green-light-across-victoria#:~:text=The%20Victorian%20trial%20follows%20other,approved%20for%20use%20across%20Victoria.Research: (including participation from NSW)
Under-mask beard covers achieve an adequate seal with tight-fitting disposable respirators using quantitative fit testing
https://wslhd.intersearch.com.au/wslhdjspui/bitstream/1/4616/1/Bhatia-2022-Under-mask%20beard%20covers%20achieve%20an.pdfProspective comprehensive evaluation of an elastic-band beard cover for filtering facepiece respirators in healthcare workers
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10782203/Use may be jurisdictional.
Hope this helps.
Regards Carrie
