Last updated 19:43, Friday, 01 August 2008

FIFTEEN Sellafield workers were sent home for not being clean-shaven.

The contractors, who were working on an asbestos removal project at Calder Hall, began work at 7am on Tuesday in full protective gear including mouth masks.

But around an hour later, two junior managers from Hertel Services, who employ the contractors, told those who were not clean-shaven to go home because their stubble was causing a breach in health and safety regulations.

Hertel Services say that a satisfactory respiratory seal cannot be achieved unless the worker is clean shaven.

Each of the workers lost around £150 and were told they could return to work the following day as long as they had shaved.

They were sent home on Tuesday to shave because bosses wanted to reinforce the serious nature of the health and safety regulations.

A spokesman for Hertel (UK) said: “The health and safety rules are well known and workers are repeatedly reminded of their duty of care, in this instance to themselves.”

He added: “When working with asbestos, or in an environment where asbestos may be found, it is essential that workers are clean shaven to ensure safety masks seal on the face.

“Failure to be clean shaven is a clear breach of health and safety, hence these workers being sent home.

“Why they attended site without being clean shaven is a question for themselves. These workers returned to work on the following day.”