http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...564-952,00.html




"QUEENSLAND paramedics claim they have been threatened with the sack unless they shave off their beards, moustaches and sideburns.

Several frontline ambulance officers are reported to have refused and now face suspension without pay.
The order follows the issue of special new face masks that paramedics must carry in case of a bird flu pandemic, or biological or chemical terrorist attacks.

A memo from Queensland Ambulance Service bosses said the Australian Standard stated there had to be a perfect seal between mask and skin or the manufacturer could not guarantee full protection.

The manufacturer warned that facial hair interfered with the seal.

Paramedics with long hair and ear piercings are also being targeted, said one senior officer, who has been told to shave off the beard he has worn for 20 years for what he calls the "one-in-a-million chance of having to wear the mask".

He said he had resisted and been disciplined. He has already been taken off managerial shifts and warned that he will be suspended if he doesn't comply by a set date.

"I can't understand. Why should I have to shave off my goatee in the highly unlikely event we will ever have to wear these masks? My beard is part of my identity," he said.

"It's beyond a joke. It's akin to workplace bullying."

Another officer said paramedics did not go into contaminated areas. "

It does seem harsh, but I can understand it's a work safety reason behind it.

I don't think it's harsh..my brother was a fireman in the city, and they had to get rid of all facial hair, moustaches, beards. This was a precaution when going into a flaming building....Some of the guys balked, but for safety reasons they did it....

I agree with this. If it interferes with the seal, enough said. I also think about hygiene and wonder how many men don't think about washing their facial hair often.

It makes total sense, whether he is a paramedic or a firefighter; you have to wear masks from time to time to keep from breathing things you dont want to breath; be it smoke and fire, or disease filled air. As a paramedic I am sure he has to deal with people who have very communicable diseases like tuberculosis; which protocol says that everyone should be wearing a mask(including the patient, if possible). Why would he think that he doesnt have to abide by that? That is just silly. It isnt as if he is just putting himself at risk either; if he gets exposed, he can pass it along to his workmates for years before he becomes aware of what he has...

The rules are in place for a very good reason, not just for the single person, but for everyone involved.

errrkkkkkkkk

Promote stereotypes, much?

I wonder how many women don't think about washing various parts of their bodies.

that's fine for now but really should at birth give electrolosis or some plastic surgery type thing where nobody ever grows hair there again. Then we can work on standardizing height at birth for safety reasons. yeah sure everyone might look the same, but we won't have these problems in the future.

I know if I was sporting facial hair (i've got a baby face ) I'd be washing it as regularly as I wash everything else; each day in the shower.

What ? a stereo type against men? men with beards ? or are you reading race into this somehow ? The rules are there for safty reasons and I agree with them. Besides do you want a paramedic bent over workin on ya with old big mac lettuce dangling from his beard ewwww

lol "He came to jump-start my heart, but I got a free meal included!"

The lettuce thing made me picture Dr Zoidberg from Futurama

My brother would actually have to comb his mustache before washing to get everything out of it. Pretty gross! You should have seen how long it took him to get the mascara out of it I used to make it darker one Halloween! LOL, he said it was showing up in his coffee, and he scrubbed his face, it still didn't come out right away. So, yeah, I think that there are hygenic reasons, too.

I'm replying to the comment "I also think about hygiene and wonder how many men don't think about washing their facial hair often."

That right there is ignorance of high order.

Yes, how many men who have facial hair, not all men who have facial hair.

Since we're perpetrating sexual stereotypes, just what are you doing away from the kitchen stove?

Stove is old fashion .. microwave !

You have a clean beard, we get it, move on.

Actually to asume everyone takes there hygiene to the same level as your own is fairly ignorant, asuming you have a high standard for personal hygiene of course. Personally I want all paramedics to wear masks, beard or not

only once a day ..? what about food leftovers , drinks , whatever?