What Is Considered a Mask or Face Covering?
Face Coverings
According to the CDC, a
cloth face covering can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. A face covering
refers to a cloth covering of the face and is not a medical-grade mask. These
can be purchased or even made at home. Face coverings will be an
appropriate consideration for employers to consider in many industries.
Masks refer to filtering respirators, such as an N95, K95, medical-grade
or surgical mask. These are currently being utilized by vital professions such
as health care. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks are in short supply, and
governments and health organizations are currently designating these as
critical supplies.
Should My Organization Use Face Coverings or Masks?
Organizations should consider what types of services they provide
and check with local guidance. While masks can help prevent the spread of
COVID-19, the CDC considers these as critical supplies that must continue to be
reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders. Unless
providing critical services in one of these professions, most employers will
want to consider using cloth face coverings rather than masks. Before making
any determinations, employers should check updated guidelines from sources such
as the CDC and local governments.
Face Coverings in the Workplace
Studies show that people with minimal or no symptoms can still
have COVID-19. According to the CDC, while wearing face coverings shouldn’t
replace social distancing, cloth face coverings can help prevent the
transmission of COVID-19.
·
A tight fit but comfortable on the face,
allowing for breathing without restriction
·
Secured with ties or ear loops
·
Includes multiple layers of durable fabric, able
to withstand washing for reuse
·
Allows for breathing without restriction
General best practices
for implementing face coverings in the workplace include:
·
Create
specific policies. Employers should have policies and practices in place for
use of face coverings. Topics to cover may include:
o
Who is expected to wear face coverings
o
How face coverings will be supplied
o
Using face coverings correctly
Employers will also want to plan for unique
situations, including:
o
An employee who objects to wearing a face
covering
o
An employee who loses his or her face covering
o
An employee who is unable to wear face coverings
due to a medical condition
o
An employee who would prefer to wear their own
face covering, if the employer will be providing them
·
Communicate
expectations to all employees. Employers should communicate policy updates
related to face masks to all employees. This may include posting notices, as
well as training employees on best practices. Communications should cover
topics such as whether face coverings are optional or mandatory, who will be
providing them and how they will be washed, and how training will be conducted.
·
Ensure
face coverings are washed daily. According to the CDC, washing face
coverings in a washing machine should properly clean it.
Effective practices
can ensure that face coverings are being used effectively and that employers
can plan for how to introduce face coverings in the workplace. Many health
experts advise that COVID-19 may even come back in additional waves, and
employers may end up utilizing COVID-19 related business practices for the near
future. When implementing face coverings in the workplace, employers should
check with local guidelines and laws, and seek legal counsel when implementing
any policies or changes.
Paying for Face Coverings
In some states, organizations
are currently required to supply face coverings to employees, while others
offer more flexibility. Employers should check with local guidelines for
accurate and updated information. For employers that are seeking face coverings,
they can often be made in-house or, in some cases, purchased. The CDC provides procedures for how face
coverings can be made. For employers
that are requesting employees to make or purchase their own face coverings,
employers may be required to reimburse employees for time, materials and costs,
depending on locality.
Training Employees on Properly
Wearing Face Coverings
To ensure the best
use of face coverings in the workplace, employers may want to consider a
training program for employees. Training dialogue may include the following
best practices:
·
Before entering the workplace, ensure your cloth
face covering is snug and secure, and is secured with ties or ear loops. Make
sure you are able to breathe comfortably and without restriction.
·
Remember—wearing a cloth face covering does not
replace COVID-19 best practices, such as washing hands often, maintaining
social distancing of 6 feet or more and avoiding touching of the face.
·
When it is time to take off a face covering,
avoid touching hands to your face, nose and mouth. As soon as the face covering
has been removed, make sure to wash your hands immediately.
·
Cloth face coverings should be washed in a
washing machine between uses.
Masks in the Workplace
Along with face
coverings, masks can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. For appropriate
employers, such as organizations that employ health care workers and other
medical first responders, masks such as the N95 may be appropriate rather than
face coverings. Though N95 masks are not new to professions such as health care,
employers should ensure that all employees are aware of any updates and current
best practices.
General best practices
for implementing masks in the workplace include:
·
Ensuring an
appropriate supply of masks. Employers will want to consider policies for how
to most efficiently use masks, such as an N95 mask. The CDC offers guidance on how to
best utilize supplies to ensure masks are provided to those most at risk.
·
Create
specific policies. Employers should have policies and practices in place
for use of masks. Topics to cover may include:
o
Who is expected to wear masks
o
Using masks correctly
o
Expectations of the number of masks used per
shift
o
Disposal expectations
Employers will also want to plan for unique
situations, including:
o
An employee who objects to wearing a mask
o
An employee who loses his or her mask, and has
surpassed guidelines for using a certain number of masks per shift
o
An employee who is unable to wear a mask due to
a medical condition
·
Communicate
expectations to all employees. Employers should communicate policy updates
related to masks to all employees. This may include posting notices, as well as
training employees on best practices. Communications should cover topics such
as whether face coverings are optional or mandatory, who will be providing them
and how training will be conducted.
When implementing
masks in the workplace, employers should check with local guidelines and laws,
and seek legal counsel when implementing any policies or changes.
Paying for Masks
In some states, organizations
are required to supply masks to employees for specific professions, while
others offer more flexibility. Due to current circumstances, employers should
communicate with local governments regarding availability and use of masks. Employers
should check with local guidelines for accurate and updated information.
Training Employees on Properly
Wearing Masks
To ensure best use
of masks in the workplace, employers may want to consider a training program
for employees. Training dialogue may include the following best practices:
·
Before entering the workplace, ensure your mask
is snug and secure, and you are able to breathe comfortably and without
restriction.
·
Remember—wearing a mask does not replace
COVID-19 best practices, such as washing hands often, maintaining social
distancing of 6 feet or more and avoiding touching of the face.
·
When it is time to take off a mask, avoid
touching your hands to your face, nose and mouth. As soon as the mask has been
removed, make sure to wash your hands immediately.
Protecting the Safety and Health of Employees
As employers plan for how to operate both during and
post-coronavirus, creating preventive best practices can set up organizations
for success. By being proactive and establishing appropriate measures and
practices, employers can not only help prevent the spreading of diseases—but
put employees at ease that necessary steps are being taken to ensure the health
and safety of those who will be spending time in the workplace.
As laws and guidelines related to COVID-19 update, employers
should consult with legal counsel when updating or changing policies. As you
consider planning for your organization in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, contact
Better Business Planning, Inc. for additional COVID-19 related resources.
Source: Zywave, 2020.
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