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As an increasing number of businesses are beginning to reopen throughout the globe, the wearing and usage of face masks will most likely continue to remain a popular measure for preventing the spread of tCOVID-19 across most – if not all cultures.

The spread of coronavirus most commonly occurs in close quarters from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person either coughs or sneezes. According to studies, respiratory droplets from an infected person can land in the nose or mouth of individuals within a six -foot radius or the lengths of 2 arms.

Benefits of wearing face masks in the workplace

In order to slowdown the spread of the virus, the use of face masks is recommended especially as they provide an extra layer of protection to prevent these respiratory droplets from becoming airborne.

Thus, it is both beneficial and essential to create a face mask policy in the workplace in order to protect employees as well as the customers or vendors with whom they may come into contact from the virus, in addition to slowing its spreading.

Further, masks can boost the comfort level of employees. In addition to satisfying any legal obligations, providing employees with masks and encouraging their use to prevent the spread of infection may enhance the comfort level of workers, making them more willing to come to work.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding wearing face masks in the workplace

While laws and legislation may differ both nationally and regionally questions do arise regarding face coverings in the workplace. For employees, it is important to understand how to wear a face mask properly through the complete covering of the face and mouth, avoiding touching, its moving and removing, in addition to keeping it clean

Below, a few questions and answers are highlighted regarding the issue of face mask wearing by employees:

Are employees required to wear face masks?

With laws differing from one country to another, face masks should be worn in the workplace for the reasons already specified.

Overall, masks should be worn by employees working in restaurants, retail stores, fitness centers, hair saloons and offices among many establishments.

Can wearing a face mask be refused by an employee?

In cases involving individuals with medical issues or health conditions such as asthma which prevent them from wearing a face mask, the employer should not assign the employee to work in areas requiring the covering of the face. A second alternative which could be considered by an employer is requesting the employee to wear a complete face shield in order to provide optimum protection.

For cases involving employees with disabilities, reasonable accommodation should be provided by employers as a means of support.

“For some workers, employers may determine that wearing face-coverings presents a hazard. For example, face-coverings could become contaminated with chemicals used in the work environment, leading to workers inhaling the chemicals that collect on the face covering. Over the duration of a work shift, face-coverings might also become damp (from workers breathing) or collect infectious material from the work environment (droplets of other peoples’ infectious respiratory secretions).”

For employees reliant on lip reading, face masks can also interfere with communication In such cases, masks with clear plastic windows around the mouth can be used as a means to counter the problem

If an employee refuses to wear a face mask simply because he / she finds it uncomfortable to do so however, the employer must state it as a condition for employment.

Should masks be required in employee breakrooms or restrooms?

Employees should wear masks anytime if they are within a six-foot range of each other. It is possible however, to remove their masks if either isolated from coworkers at their desks or in their private offices. Also, they may remove them to eat or drink, or when being in outdoor workspaces at a six-foot distance from other workers.

What are the best practices for wearing face masks?

Here below, we share a few tips offered by the World Health Organization on proper face mask wearing to ensure the health and safety of all employees:

• Before putting on the mask, always wash hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer

• Make sure both the mouth and nose are completely covered by the mask, with no gaps out the sides Do not touch the mask once it is on

• If the mask becomes damp while being worn, discard it and replace it with a new one

• Remove the mask from behind the head or ears, keeping it held away from the body and any surfaces

• Properly dispose of the mask or place it in an enclosed bin for washing

• Wash hands again after discarding the mask

With businesses doing everything they can to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the future of work will involve a lot of face masks, at least in the short run. Expectations and rules for face masks however, are evolving at a fast pace.

While wearing a face mask in public and in the workplace was rare in most parts of the world with the exception of certain Asian countries prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, it is now becoming an increasing necessity for preventing its spread with face masks becoming highly accessible.

The answers to the questions raised regarding this face covering tool, will not always be clear and straightforward.