You have a long good-looking beard. You want nothing but to show it off because, sure, it’s attractive. However, your supervisor demands that you hide your beard with a beard net, which can be quite annoying, to be frank, and you might ask:
Are beard nets required by law?
Beard nets are required by law for people who work in the food industry, according to the Code of Federal Regulation. Lab workers and those who have jobs at electric plants are also asked to wear the net. That’s because these employees need to always maintain hygiene to avoid the spread of disease and infections.
In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of wearing beard nets and answer a few questions that might be on your mind regarding this topic.
Why Are Beard Nets Required By Law?
If you work in a field such as the food industry, germs and harmful bacteria can easily spread if your skin or hair comes in direct contact with the food. Hence, you’re obligated to wear a beard net. This is according to the Code of Federal Regulations.
Because facial hair is rougher than regular hair, it traps bacteria and germs more quickly. Therefore, beards can hold more bacteria than you might imagine, and these harmful organisms found in beard hair could transmit diseases.
That’s why beard nets can be incredibly useful. The nets keep loose beard hair from falling into food or the product you’re working on. I mean, nobody enjoys finding hair in their food. After that scenario, you’ll almost certainly receive a very poor Yelp review, so, no thanks!
Plus, hair oil and sweat particles may potentially come into contact with food, not to mention the beard shampoo you use in the shower. No one should consume the ingredients present in this product, don’t you agree?
Even though the amounts of bacteria, sweat particles, or beard care products aren’t usually large enough to cause significant harm, they should be avoided.
Let’s not forget that If a person is sick with certain viruses, human hair can spread such infections. For example, if someone has lice, the infestation can quickly spread to others.
It’s also important to note that if your beard is too long, it can pose not just biological but also physical health risks. If beard hair gets caught in food, it might induce choking, and it’s a huge turn-off!
What Does a Beard Net Look Like?
A beard net’s appearance is a cross between a face mask and a hair net. That is to say, it’s as “puffy” as a hairnet, but with ear loops like a mask to make it more comfortable to wear.
The nets are made from several different materials including nylon, polyester, and polypropylene.
The majority of beard nets, like hair nets, are single-use. This implies that once you’ve worn it for a day at work, you’ll have to dispose of it and replace it the next day.
However, if you won’t be comfortable wearing a beard net, you should probably consider shaving or waxing it off. Waxing your beard can be a great solution if you want to stop worrying about wearing a beard net as it takes approximately six weeks for your next wax.
How Long Does Your Beard Have to Be to Wear a Beard Net?
There is no exact or specific length at which you will be required to wear a beard net. It also depends on the workplace’s policy. Just keep in mind that when the hair is half an inch or longer, it’s advisable to use a beard net.
We know that half-inch beard hair is considered microscopic to the majority of bearded men. But, it’s always best to maintain and restrict your beard as early as possible. You never know, that small hair can fall out and cause issues.
Who Should Wear a Beard Net?
Because beard nets serve to keep the workplace clean, they are mandated to be worn by law in certain work fields. So, who should wear a beard net?
Food Workers
Food workers are, of course, the most prevalent workers who are compelled by law to wear a net. It doesn’t have to be someone who works in a kitchen to qualify to wear a net, a.k.a a chef or an assistant chef.
A beard net is essential if you work in a factory or store for packaging foods, too. Plus, wearing a net is mandatory even if you work in the back of the kitchen washing up or unloading crates of food.
Laboratory Workers
In labs, the white lab coats aren’t the only piece of uniform that you must wear. If you operate in a lab that involves a lot of chemicals, you’ll need to wear a beard net.
The reason behind this is that stray hair from your beard may drop into the chemicals. Unfortunately, beard hair products may react with them and cause a dangerous incident. No one wants to get into that sort of trouble!
Electronic Plant Workers
Electronics can be fragile and prone to damage, and the tiniest grains of dirt might easily disrupt electrical components. Beards, as previously stated, usually contain particles of creams, oils, and sweat.
A stray beard hair won’t particularly hurt an electronic gadget. Yet, if your beard is oily and you touch it with your hand before touching the device, it could be dangerous.
Beard nets not only prevent hair from falling off your face, but they also prevent you from touching your beard.
Who in the Food Industry Isn’t Required to Wear Beard Nets?
While mainly people in the food industry have to wear a beard net, surprisingly enough, not all of them do. If you go to a bar or your local Starbucks, you won’t find anyone with a beard net. Why is that?
For the most part, people in the kitchen are the ones more exposed to foods. So, it won’t make sense for a waiter, for example, to wear a beard net. However, since a waiter is exposed to some degree to food, there can be certain rules when it comes to beards.
Depending on the restaurant’s policies, these rules might force you to trim your beard or shave it off completely. After all, you still come in contact with the food.
For example, Starbucks’s policy is to keep the beard neat and trimmed. Meanwhile, your local deli may ask you to let it go.
Wrap Up
Are beard nets required by law?
The answer to your question is yes as long as you work in the food industry, labs, or electric plants. It’s a safety precaution to prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, and more.
While it might feel a bit frustrating to wear a beard net, it’s actually very breathable and easy to wear. Most importantly, it’s crucial for keeping your environment hygienic.
While the food industry isn’t the best choice for anyone with a beard, there is a number of other jobs that could be ideal if you don’t want to sacrifice your facial hair. Make sure to check out our article to know what beard-friendly jobs you can pursue.