The Fire Department I work for has just passed a new policy reguarding Tattoos. They have requested that all tattoos be covered while on duty. We have several fireman working with visiable tattoos below the short sleave of the shirt. They are being asked to cover them with long sleave shirts at all times. This would include while training or working in extreme outdoor enviorments. My questions are, if this dress code lead to a emergency medical condition while working would the department be liable? A fireman has asked the Chief if he had to wear gloves at all times do to several tattoos on this hands and fingers? Chief's responce was no. Would that lead to discrimination as to not following the policy as stated for one but not others? Where does religion fall reguarding tattoos some firemen have claimed that as there reasoning to not cover them up?

Unless their religion requires them to display their tattoos at all times, it is entirely reasonable to require that they be covered. It is not in any way illegal to require those on the arms be covered but not those on the hands. If an employee is injured in the line of duty, the employer has liability to the extent that the individual is covered under WC.