(f) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Facemask Requirements
You must:
- provide, and ensure that employees wear, facemasks that meet the definition in paragraph (b);
- ensure a facemask is worn by each employee over the nose and mouth when indoors and when occupying a vehicle with other people for work purposes;
- provide a sufficient number of facemasks to each employee to comply with paragraph (f) and
- ensure that each employee changes facemasks at least once per day, whenever they are soiled or damaged, and more frequently as necessary (e.g., patient care reasons).
- when an employee is alone in a room;
- while an employee is eating and drinking at the workplace, if each employee is at least 6 feet away from any other person, or separated from other people by a physical barrier;
- when employees are wearing respiratory protection according to 1910.134 or paragraph (f);
- when it is important to see a person’s mouth (e.g., communicating with an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing) and the conditions do not permit a facemask that is constructed of clear plastic (or includes a clear plastic window). Use alternative PPE, such as a face shield, if the conditions permit it; and
- when employees cannot wear facemasks due to a medical necessity, medical condition, or disability, or a religious belief.
- when you can demonstrate that the use of a facemask presents a hazard to an employee of serious injury or death (e.g., arc flash, heat stress, interfering with the safe operation of equipment).
Exceptions must be provided for a narrow subset of persons with a disability who cannot wear a facemask or cannot safely wear a facemask, because of the disability, as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USC 12101 et seq.), including a person who cannot independently remove the facemask. The remaining portion of the subset who cannot wear a facemask may be exempted on a case-by-case basis as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. In these situations, ensure that employees wear a face shield for the protection of the employee, if their condition or disability permits it. Accommodations may also need to be made for religious beliefs consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Ensure that each employee wears alternative PPE, such as a face shield, if conditions permit it. Any employee not wearing a facemask must remain at least 6 feet away from all other people unless you can prove it is not feasible. The employee must resume wearing a facemask when not engaged in the activity where the facemask presents a hazard.
With respect to the above situations, you may determine that the use of face shields, without facemasks, in certain settings is not appropriate due to other infection control concerns.
Cleaning: When you require the use of face shields, ensure that they are cleaned at least daily and are not damaged.
Employee-provided face shields: When an employee provides a proper face shield, you may allow the employee to use it and you are not required to reimburse the employee for that face shield.
CDC does not recommend the external use of face shields or goggles as a substitute for masks. According to research, face shields only block about 2% of a cough aerosol. Goggles or other eye protection may be used in addition to a mask.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-5. What is the CDC's position on the use of face shields to protect against COVID-19 in the workplace?
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