September 16, 2026

OSHA Backs Religious Accommodation For COVID-19 Respirator Mandates


December 30, 2021 at 11:21 AM
OSHA has released a new regulatory interpretation letter that says employers may allow workers who maintain facial hair because of a disability or closely-held religious belief to use loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) as alternatives to fitted N95 masks to protect against COVID-19 exposure.

E-mail Alerts

Select what you want us to e-mail you every day -- including all-new alerts on major programs and initiatives.