FW: (MFCA Forum) goatees and airpacks

Lisa Winger

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Feb 17, 2011, 10:51:03 AM2/17/11

to hancockcou...@googlegroups.com, Hancock County Firefighters Association Training and Education Committee, icefi...@roadrunner.com, Corson, Steven, S. I. VFD--Robert Gardner

From: mfca...@googlegroups.com [mailto:mfca...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bill Jarvis
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 3:29 PM
To: maine fire chiefs association
Subject: (MFCA Forum) goatees and airpacks

Fire Chiefs:

A couple of weeks ago I put a question out about the use of airpacks by firefighters with goatees. Some of you told me that this was not a problem; others told me that it was against the law, and a couple of you cited pertinent sections of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, specifically 1910.134(g)(1)(i), 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(a), and 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(b). I believed that goatees were not legal, but could not find the specific wording in the law to affirm by beliefs.

As a result of my email inquiry, I also heard from MFT&E Training Program Manager Frank Hammond and Maine Department of Labor Supervisor Michael LaPlante.

The key language can be found in 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(a) which is “Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face…” Because the manufacturers of the respirator facepieces specifically state that the sealing surface of the facepiece includes the chin cup, a goatee will create a condition where facial hair comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face, so a goatee is not permitted. MDOL Supervisor LaPlante said it best: “With a full face respirator, a goatee is a No Go.”

Frank supplied me with the following image of a Scott AV2000 mask with the face seal area highlighted in yellow. It is pretty clear in looking at this image that a firefighter who is going to be wearing an airpack can not have a goatee.

clip_image002

So to recap, goatees are not permitted by law for firefighters who will be using full face respirators.

Thanks to all who responded to my inquiry.

Bill Jarvis
Forest Land Manager - JARVIS FOREST MANAGEMENT
Fire Chief - JACKMAN-MOOSE RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT
P.O. Box 563
Jackman, ME 04945
Phone/FAX: 207-668-9516

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Town Of Trenton Fire Dept

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Mar 21, 2011, 8:33:28 PM3/21/11

to Lisa....@jax.org, hancockcou...@googlegroups.com, Hancock County Firefighters Association Training and Education Committee, icefi...@roadrunner.com, Corson, Steven, S. I. VFD--Robert Gardner

Lisa Winger

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Mar 22, 2011, 7:39:28 AM3/22/11

to Town Of Trenton Fire Dept, hancockcou...@googlegroups.com, Hancock County Firefighters Association Training and Education Committee, icefi...@roadrunner.com, Corson, Steven, S. I. VFD--Robert Gardner

Sorry for the email last night that stated tonight – lost a day!!! This class is Wednesday!!!

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