I was recently asked this question at work and am at a complete loss... Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Is it acceptable for employee who wears a head covering for religious reasons (e.g., yarmulke) to simply cover it with a bouffant when entering the cleanroom? What about larger headwear?

Thank you

I was recently asked this question at work and am at a complete loss... Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Is it acceptable for employee who wears a head covering for religious reasons (e.g., yarmulke) to simply cover it with a bouffant when entering the cleanroom? What about larger headwear?

Thank youI believe the purpose of the bouffant is to prevent hair and scalp flakes from contaminating the room. So, as long as the head & hair can be covered, I think it would not pose a problem.

Yes, I agree. Note there are similar coverings for beards and moustaches. In such cases, my instinct would be to look first that the function of a protective head covering is preserved. From the employer's viewpoint (the guy who has to supply protective garments) it seems he has to supply a variety of protective garb to accomplish the function of preventing contamination without creating any apparent religious bias.

Hi, I used to work in a cleanroom at a company where they produced biophamraceuticals. Regardless to religion everybody had to apply to the same (clothing) rules. No make-up, no jewelery, no earrings and no head gear. It is all done to ensure the safety of the product. But also a form of uniformity plays a role here. I our case, customeres and prospects could come by to have a look in the cleanrooms (who also have to follow these rules). It would be strange to make exeptions for one if you don't do it for another.
You (might) have to justify why you make exeptions to your own rules (which you made to protect the product in the first place).
(Don't know if it is a fair comparrison but is it allowed to wear such items under your barret in the army? --> uniformity/non-discriminating)
Appart from this I aggree that the protective function of the garments is key.

Just an opinion. Hope it helps a little.

Greetings,
Jerome

I agree, with Jerome !
Religion at church, " army" rules at work, but up to you. In my country, ipolitics and religion s forbidden at work.
György

I would say "use of standard protective garments is required."

One reason that some religious headdress would be excluded (or would fall under the "must be covered as is hair") is that the materials chosen cannot be blown clean effectively. The "standard" head covering for clean room environments is easily blown clean in teh "decon" chamber as you enter and exit the room. Many personal headdresses I have seen are too "porous" or rough to be effectively cleaned by the air blow systems. This would represent a threat to both the product (contamination) and the employee (talking contaminates home and into the larger workplace).

It is also difficult to ensure proper use of the protective gear as the headdress gets larger or falls further down the face or back. No Exceptions should be made for how the provided protective gear is used/worn, so allowing headdresses to be worn, but "only if..." is a very slippery slope - and one to be avoided.

Most Religious Headdress fall into one of two categories: Obscuring bodyparts from view or Adornment.

The full head covering protective gear clearly does not violate the need to obscure or cover the head required by some religions. And even if there is some question, most religions allow some "judgement" in headdress to allow the individual to work. The other reason, adornment as religious requirement, is easily rebuffed by poiinting out that no jewelry is allowed - including wedding rings (another religious adornment).

Nope, I say "army" rules. You wish to work in that job, you follow thw standard rules for Safety and Process.

Brian

When I first asked the head covering question, our company had started gearing up for full scale production.

To comply with the law we are complying with the Title VII requirement of reasonable accomodation. If it is worn for religious reasons (sorry baseball caps don't count, even though....), can be covered by a bouffant and does not interefere with the work that needs to be done, it is acceptable.

Now we have facial and tongue piercings to deal with. Our procedure says 'no exposed jewelry', we actually had to explain to the SUPERVISORS that that included nose rings and tongue studs.

I am just wondering how I went from monitoring cleanroom conditions to being the clothing and adornment police.

In any case, thank you all, you have been a great help :thanx:

I agree, with Jerome !
Religion at church, " army" rules at work, but up to you. In my country, ipolitics and religion s forbidden at work.
GyörgyIn this case it's the US Army's rules (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00000774----000-.html).

I always wondered what is the origin and purpose of a "yarmulke" and when is it worn?
Anyone provide some history on this?

I always wondered what is the origin and purpose of a "yarmulke" and when is it worn?
Anyone provide some history on this?

Yarmulke, AKA "Kippah" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarmulke)

Wow! A google search for "the origin of the yarmulke" brought up a plethora of info. I only had a chance to look at a few but there is a lot of interesting info out there.

Yarmulke, AKA "Kippah" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarmulke)

Thanks Jim, that is interesting information and explains it well.