Unshaven contractors sent home for breaching health and safety rules

Dodgy facial fluff has cost a group of contractors a day’s work after they were sent home for breaching health and safety rules.

The 15 men were removing asbestos from a Sellafield nuclear power plant when they were ordered off site because their stubble stopped their mouth masks from sealing against their faces.

Each lost about £150 in wages and returned to work the next day after a shower and shave.

The hairy contractors employed by Hertel UK were discovered during a health and safety check at the Cumbria plant last week.

A Hertel spokesman said: “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.”