DOH Fact Sheet: HAIR RESTRAINTS

FSHISD – 2016 Mar

GOVER NME N T O F THE DIST R ICT OF C OLUMB I A

DEP A RTME N T O F HEAL TH

HEAL TH R E GUL ATION AND LIC ENSI N G AD M INI STRAT I ON

All Food Handlers are required to wear effective hair restraints that cover all exposed body hair.

Examples include caps, hats, nets, scarves, beard restraints and other reasonable forms of hair

containment. They must be designed and worn effectively to keep hair from contacting and

contaminating exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, unwrapped single service items and single

use articles. Outer garments are just as important as hair restraints. They should be free of soil and

visible dirt and changed daily or as often as necessary.

FACT: Hairnets serve two purposes. The first is to keep hair from contacting exposed food, clean and

sanitized equipment, utensils and linens, or unwrapped single-service articles. The second purpose is

to keep worker's hands out of their hair.

FACT: It is impossible to completely remove bacteria from hair. Even if recently washed, hair

contains bacteria.

For more information, please contact the

Food Safety and Hygiene Inspection Services Division at

Recommendations

 Beard restraints are used to contain facial hair, and must be worn along with the traditional hairnet.

 Allow only authorized workers in food preparation and ware washing areas.

 Don’t allow unauthorized individuals such as small children or friends of workers into areas where they

can contaminate food or food contact surfaces.