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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a series of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the use of masks in the workplace to assist the regulated community.
Seyfarth Synopsis:The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) has released a series offrequently asked questions and
answersregarding the use of masks in the workplace to
assist the regulated community.
Right up front, the FAQs settles once and for all the question of
whether OSHA considers cloth or makeshift face coverings to be
regulated PPE: they are not. The FAQs also outline the
differences between cloth face coverings, surgical masks, and
respirators, and notes that cloth face coverings "may be
commercially produced or improvised (i.e., homemade) garments,
scarves, bandanas, or items made from t-shirts or other
fabrics." The FAQs remind employers not to use surgical masks
or cloth face coverings when respirators are necessary and if
respirators are required, a proper respiratory protection program
should be in place. In addition, the FAQs note the need for social
distancing measures, even when workers are wearing cloth face
coverings, and recommends following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
guidance on washing face coverings."
In the news release accompanying the FAQs, OSHA
Administrator Loren Sweatt recognized that "as our economy
reopens for business, millions of Americans will be wearing masks
in their workplace for the first time," and "OSHA is
ready to help workers and employers understand how to properly use
masks so they can stay safe and healthy in the workplace."
For more information on this or any related topic, please
contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the
Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA)
Team.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.
