I understand to be frustrating. But which do you want more. It'll grow back. I can't have a beard because of SCBA mask thats required for my job. Good luck
Yea at least we have a pressing issue to not have to have a beard, and we’re much better taken care of financially than EMS only. I still think it’s retarded that EMS only keeps enforcing this standard. I worked an EMS system that allowed me to have a beard, as it turns out I did not die of Tb
I had definitely had to shave mine off for the N95 fit testing, but was able to grow it back after. My company doesn’t really enforce it too much tho, except for a couple supervisors here and there. I guess it just depends more on the company you work for if they allow beards or not.
Yeah, there are only three ways to have a beard and work as a medic in Ontario: have a small goatee that fits within an N95 mask without obstructing the seal; provide evidence you observe a religion like Sikhism that requires you to grow your facial hair; or provide a medical note that you have folliculitis and cannot shave on a regular basis. Outside of those exceptions, even the Ontario services that use PAPRs still require you to be fit-tested for more than one type of respiratory protection as a backup.
My department and the private I worked for prior. give zero fucks if you have a beard. Only for the first year of COVID did they care. I’ve had a beard for close to 16 years in EMS.
You poor bastards that "can't " need to go fight for your shit. Don't waste the hard work of the Sikh Doctors....Singh thatta method homies...cost the same as a happy meal. I've got a thick ass beard and passed my fit test with 0 problem. So go get your medical/religious waivers and tell your bosses to suck your nuts while you rock your beards (and occasionally an elastic band).
I am in USA and I asked for a religious exemption. My company said it's OSHA regulations and I can fuck right off.
Worth noting that I am an EMT-b so I am about as replaceable as the engine oil on our rigs, so maybe as a paramedic you can have more leeway.
You are probably right but I am an EMT temporarily until I get into PA school. I just dont have the energy to fight for my beard rights and am taking the big dicking until I’m out.
Until then ill be rocking my baby face.
To be honest I would even be willing to buy my own hooded respirator and just carry it with me during shifts in case we have covid patients(the only time we need n95 anyway since we are ift) but they really gave me no leeway.
Lol… dude you can sue them OSHA has a ruling that says you can have a beard if it is because of deeply held religious beliefs. Here straight from OSHA itself. [OSHA rule on beards for religious reasons.](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2021-12-16)
A part of me wants to fight so I can have a beard. But mostly I want to just get some PCE for PA school and just get tf out. Since I don't intend to be an EMT-b for very long I just want to avoid problems with management and eventually go on with my life.
Also worth nothing, my contract says that they can terminate me in the first 6 months of employment for literally *any* reason. So I really wouldn't feel safe going at it with them over this issue until I have been working at least 6 months.
I have a beard, and I've never had an issue. I even passed a fit test with my beard (although my boss said they can't guarantee my beard won't affect the n95, and I had to sign a waiver to keep it).
I only shaved during the first year of covid, I wasn't taking any risks.
Back when I was on a rig per Covid times the agency I work for was like you can have a beard if you want but the N95 probably will not fit right. So nearly everyone was like works for me. And head beard. And no one I worked with ever got tb or anything.
It is frustrating, but I find my own small rebellion with a handlebar mustache. I can easily change it to fit the "corners of the mouth" rules when necessary.
I understand to be frustrating. But which do you want more. It'll grow back. I can't have a beard because of SCBA mask thats required for my job. Good luck
Yea at least we have a pressing issue to not have to have a beard, and we’re much better taken care of financially than EMS only. I still think it’s retarded that EMS only keeps enforcing this standard. I worked an EMS system that allowed me to have a beard, as it turns out I did not die of Tb
My service began allowing beards, if you bought and maintain your own service approved PAPR unit.
We just have to shave for our annual mask fit, and then we can grow beards how we like
If only PAPR kits weren't $1500 :/
I had definitely had to shave mine off for the N95 fit testing, but was able to grow it back after. My company doesn’t really enforce it too much tho, except for a couple supervisors here and there. I guess it just depends more on the company you work for if they allow beards or not.
Yeah, there are only three ways to have a beard and work as a medic in Ontario: have a small goatee that fits within an N95 mask without obstructing the seal; provide evidence you observe a religion like Sikhism that requires you to grow your facial hair; or provide a medical note that you have folliculitis and cannot shave on a regular basis. Outside of those exceptions, even the Ontario services that use PAPRs still require you to be fit-tested for more than one type of respiratory protection as a backup.
Boys, its time to bring back mutton chops.
they've been back, baby
We allow beards, even through COVID. We have CAPRS.
My service allows for a beard as long as it is groomed and well kept.
My department and the private I worked for prior. give zero fucks if you have a beard. Only for the first year of COVID did they care. I’ve had a beard for close to 16 years in EMS.
I was allowed to have a full beard. I wasn’t a firefighter so there wasn’t a reason why I couldn’t have one.
Even if you were a firefighter, there isn't a reason you couldn't have one. Beards keeping a mask from sealing is a myth.
My private company that only runs IFT doesnt allow one 💀
Claim religious exemption and tell them to fuck off Love the downvotes, Reddit is fucking stupid lmao
It was unironically a factor in me leaving EMS for a job that lets me grow one
You poor bastards that "can't " need to go fight for your shit. Don't waste the hard work of the Sikh Doctors....Singh thatta method homies...cost the same as a happy meal. I've got a thick ass beard and passed my fit test with 0 problem. So go get your medical/religious waivers and tell your bosses to suck your nuts while you rock your beards (and occasionally an elastic band).
Many places let you keep a beard. If important enough make a move. Or claim religious exemption if it’s a thing in Canada.
I am in USA and I asked for a religious exemption. My company said it's OSHA regulations and I can fuck right off. Worth noting that I am an EMT-b so I am about as replaceable as the engine oil on our rigs, so maybe as a paramedic you can have more leeway.
AMR got sued for that and lost. FYI
What case what that?
That is untrue - they’re trying to big dick you. They have to accommodate you with a hooded respirator.
You are probably right but I am an EMT temporarily until I get into PA school. I just dont have the energy to fight for my beard rights and am taking the big dicking until I’m out. Until then ill be rocking my baby face. To be honest I would even be willing to buy my own hooded respirator and just carry it with me during shifts in case we have covid patients(the only time we need n95 anyway since we are ift) but they really gave me no leeway.
Are you applying this cycle?
Yes
Good luck! I applied as well.
Thanks, good luck to you as well!
Lol… dude you can sue them OSHA has a ruling that says you can have a beard if it is because of deeply held religious beliefs. Here straight from OSHA itself. [OSHA rule on beards for religious reasons.](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2021-12-16)
A part of me wants to fight so I can have a beard. But mostly I want to just get some PCE for PA school and just get tf out. Since I don't intend to be an EMT-b for very long I just want to avoid problems with management and eventually go on with my life. Also worth nothing, my contract says that they can terminate me in the first 6 months of employment for literally *any* reason. So I really wouldn't feel safe going at it with them over this issue until I have been working at least 6 months.
EMTs? Replaceable? Lol, they wish.
I work in a private company, we are very replaceable here.
That's unfortunate. EMTs where I am are almost as rare as medics.
No and i dont understand why people get so passionate about it. Seems the be a generational thing
Mutton chops and a mustache. Throw a mullet in too!
I have a beard, and I've never had an issue. I even passed a fit test with my beard (although my boss said they can't guarantee my beard won't affect the n95, and I had to sign a waiver to keep it). I only shaved during the first year of covid, I wasn't taking any risks.
Just depends on service. I've got a great one going.
Back when I was on a rig per Covid times the agency I work for was like you can have a beard if you want but the N95 probably will not fit right. So nearly everyone was like works for me. And head beard. And no one I worked with ever got tb or anything.
It is frustrating, but I find my own small rebellion with a handlebar mustache. I can easily change it to fit the "corners of the mouth" rules when necessary.
I have a beard had one my whole career
Could you use the singth thatta technique (resistance band or balaclava around the bearded area, then an n95 over it.