Mask Use in the Workplace

Masks have two main functions at a workplace:

• A cloth or non-medical mask can be used as source control to prevent respiratory droplets (such as from a cough or sneeze) from spreading to others.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects workers from potential infections from others. PPE will also work as source control.

Not all masks are suitable for both purposes. If you use masks in your workplace, you will need to make sure workers are trained on the type of mask they are using and its limitations. Workers should be told whether they are using masks as source control or PPE.

Conducting the hazard assessment will help you determine which type of mask is appropriate in your workplace. The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, mandatory public health orders and municipal bylaws may require that masks be worn in certain places. These orders must be considered in your assessment.

Using a mask should not introduce any new health or safety hazards into the workplace (such as masks getting caught in machinery or restricting vision).

In non-health-care workplaces, PPE may include a surgical or procedure mask, and in some cases eye protection, such as a face shield or goggles.

Note that face shields do not replace masks or face coverings.

When workers are performing tasks that require them to work within two metres of an unmasked person, conducting a hazard assessment will help you determine which control measures would best be used, such as barriers (for example, Plexiglas, partition, wall) or PPE.

Correct use of PPE should not take the place of other control measures, including physical distancing and handwashing.

Information on PPE and approved standards is available from the Government of Saskatchewan at Appropriate use of PPE.

A list of authorized medical devices that includes approved PPE for uses related to COVID-19 is available on the Government of Canada website.

Information is available from the Government of Saskatchewan on the most current Guidance on Cloth and Non-Medical Masks. This includes tips on how to wear a mask.

Not all people are able to wear masks, for example, because of a health condition as advised by a medical professional. Develop a policy to address these situations before they arise.

Accommodation must not result in reduced protection for workers. Employers may need to implement other control measures to replace the protection that would be provided by the mask.

Different types of masks fit people differently. Workers may need to try various options to find a mask that works for them.

For people who need to have their faces seen, masks with clear panels are available for source control and PPE. If you choose to use a mask with clear panels as PPE, ensure that the mask is designed to meet this purpose.