COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN - WORKPLACE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLBEING - University of ...
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COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN
COVID-19:
WEARING MASKS
OUTSIDE OF
LOCKDOWN
WORKPLACE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLBEING
1
COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN
CONTENTS
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION 3-4
SECTION 2: THE WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC 5
SECTION 3: ADVICE ON THE WEARING OF NON-MEDICAL MASKS 5
SECTION 4: PROVISION OF MASKS FOR OUR UNIVERSITY
COMMUNITY 5
SECTION 5: ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF WEARING
FACE MASKS/FACE COVERINGS 6
SECTION 6: ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE USE OF MASKS 6
SECTION 7: THE UNIVERSITY’S APPROACH 7
APPENDIX 1: PUTTING ON A MASK/FACE CLOTH
CORRECTLY 8
APPENDIX 4: REMOVING AND DISPOSAL OF
MASKS/FACE CLOTH 9
REFERENCES 10-11
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2
COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN SECTION 1
COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
While the Government may offer some guidance In line with advice from both the Government and
or regulations on the re-opening of workplaces the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, advanced
(and universities in particular), it is prudent for the precautions have been put in place over the last few
University to be considering its own strategy and months to protect our University community.
rationale, and to consider the measures of protection
we will provide, in light of government requirements The purpose of this paper is to provide information
and recommendations. about wearing face masks/coverings when
attending campus.
COVID-19 is a virus that is spread by droplets, which
can spray into the air when people who are infected There are many types of face coverings and masks
talk, cough and sneeze. These can then enter the that have been publicised during the COVID-19
body through the eyes, nose and mouth, either outbreak. They each provide different levels of
directly or after touching a contaminated object. This protection.
is known as aerosol transmission.
3
COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN SECTION 1
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Current social distancing advice
n N95/FFP2 is a PPE face mask which can filter On 26 June 2020, the Government reviewed its
out up to 95% of the particles in the air breathed social distancing guidance for the UK. At that
in by the wearer. They are sufficient for filtering point the guidance stated that: “where possible, you
the air breathed in within indoor settings, such as should maintain 2m between people”. The guidance
when grocery shopping, or in areas where people has now changed to state that distances of 2m or
sometimes do not maintain their social distancing. 1m with risk mitigation (where 2m is not viable)
Fit testing is required by the HSE (ACOP are acceptable, and that businesses should set out
guidance: INDG479) prior to use to ensure the the mitigations that they will introduce in their risk
mask can protect the wearer effectively. assessment.
n N99/FFP3 face masks can filter out up to 99% The Government paper ‘Staying alert and safe
of the particles in the air breathed in by the (social distancing) after 4 July’ updated on 26 June
wearer. This type of mask is suitable for a doctor 2020, and ‘Staying safe outside your home’, provide
to wear when treating people who are infected recommendations for the public and business on the
with coronavirus. If you work in areas where you gradual easing of measures.
believe people may be infected, a FFP3 should be
used. Fit testing is required by the HSE (ACOP The Government and Public Health England’s social
guidance: INDG479) prior to use to ensure the distancing advice in a community setting continues
mask can protect the wearer effectively. to include:
Non-PPE face coverings n Keeping your distance from people outside your
household
n A paper mask is a disposable mask that can n Avoiding being face-to-face with people if they
protect the wearer against infectious agents are outside your household or support bubble
that are transmitted through respiratory droplets. n Keeping your hands and face as clean as possible
Paper masks are sufficient when going into areas n Keeping indoor places well ventilated
that are less likely to be contaminated, such as n Avoiding crowded spaces
walking outdoors or standing in areas where you n Working from home where you can
know people will practise proper social distancing. n Thinking about how you Travel
How long the paper masks can be used ranges n Use of Face Coverings
from three to eight hours depending on various n Avoiding shouting or singing close to people
external factors and the concentration of the outside your household or support bubble
contaminant. n Reducing the number of people you spend time
within a work setting
n Homemade/washable cloth masks. These n Washing your clothes regularly
masks are made from several layers of cotton or n When at work or in business or public premises,
polyester material. They are designed to stop the following the advice on site
droplets that leave the mouth or nose. When the
wearer sneezes, coughs, or talks these droplets We expect that the government will advise that
are expelled into the air. The benefit of reusable social distancing measures will need to remain for
masks is that they can be washed and reused. the medium to long term in both the community
and workplaces, as other lockdown measures are
Paper masks should be disposed of carefully. Safe relaxed and individuals begin to return to work.
disposal bins, suitable to ensure infection is not
spread, will be provided as necessary.
Washable masks, should be kept in a sealed plastic
bag when not in use.
4
COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN SECTION 2-4
SECTION 2: THE WEARING OF FACE spread of virus from the wearer to others. This is
COVERINGS IN PUBLIC especially important in the event that someone is
infected but does not have symptoms.
The UK has made it compulsory for people to wear
a face covering at all times on public transport, in SECTION 4: PROVISION OF MASKS FOR
shops, banks, takeaway establishments, or when OUR UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
attending a hospital as a visitor or outpatient.
Should the University provide me with a mask or
n There is scientific consensus emerging that face covering?
wearing a face covering can help in reducing
the spread of droplets and therefore potentially Wearing a mask has now become mandatory in
infecting others (PHE 2020). many areas of life in the UK. The University has
gifted two washable, reusable face coverings for
n There are currently differing opinions among every member of staff and student. Additional face
experts on whether wearing masks or face coverings should be sourced by the wearer.
coverings in public is of general benefit as
protection against COVID-19, as the use of PPE is also available for those who require this for
masks for healthy people in community settings their roles. Issuing PPE masks to staff will be based
carries certain risks. on risk analysis of jobs and area of work.
n There might be some benefit for others, for Can I make my own mask?
example, in reducing the chances of transmission
(?) of the disease during the asymptomatic Yes. Masks can be made from cloth materials found
phases. at home, or items that can be wrapped around the
face, such as a scarf. YouTube videos on how to do
SECTION 3: ADVICE ON THE WEARING this may be helpful.
OF NON-MEDICAL MASKS
Wearing face covering or masks
Non-medical face masks, such as cloth face
coverings, might help stop the spread of coronavirus In many situations, social distancing can be difficult
from people who are contagious but who have no to achieve and so we have carefully considered the
symptoms. Non-medical masks have a filter efficiency benefit of wearing face masks/face coverings.
of between 2% and 38% for the protection of the
wearer (European Centre for Disease Prevention Laboratory research shows that homemade masks
and Control). are less effective than surgeons’ masks in reducing
potential disease spread from the mask wearer to
n It may be helpful to use cloth masks in other people, but are more effective than wearing
environments where it can be difficult to carry out no mask at all. Homemade face masks can provide
social distancing (US Centre for Disease Control some protection, even after three hours of wearing.
and Prevention).
Systematic reviews on ‘flu transmission’ (believed to
n Cloth masks can help prevent spreading the virus be similar to COVID-19 transmission, for example, in
by coughing, sneezing or speaking. that, with both, people can be infectious for a day or
two before symptoms occur) have found that mask-
n Wearing non-medical face masks must be used as wearing reduces the spread of the disease; there is
an additional public health measure to reduce the less clear evidence that masks protect the wearer.
spread of COVID-19, in addition to (not instead
of) social distancing, frequent hand cleaning and There are arguments for and against wearing of face
other everyday preventive actions. masks and face coverings.
n While they provide a small level of protection, face
coverings are not intended to protect the wearer;
the main aim of a face covering is to minimise
5
COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN SECTION 5-6
SECTION 5: ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR n Face masks and coverings cannot be seen
OF WEARING FACE MASKS/FACE in isolation but are part of ‘policy packages’
COVERINGS: and it is imperative to review interrelated non-
pharmaceutical interventions in tandem including
We should support any measures which might make hand hygiene, sanitizers and social distancing
us safer; even if masks are less effective than other when maintaining the 2 metre or 1 metre+
control measures, they provide an additive protection distancing rule is not possible.
and so we should advocate them as additional
protection. n Consistent and effective public messaging is vital
to public adherence of wearing facemasks and
A similar precautionary principle is that there is coverings. Conflicting policy advice generates
insufficient reason not to recommend the use of confusion and lack of compliance. Populations
masks: the absence of clear evidence that they work without a previous history of mask wearing
is not the same as evidence that they do not work. have rapidly adopted face coverings during the
COVID-19 period’.
SECTION 6: ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE
USE OF MASKS:
There is a lack of published evidence which supports
the use of face masks, particularly with regard to
the adequacy of homemade masks/face coverings
in protecting the user. Linked to this, there is the
potential that wearing masks may increase risk, as
they may give the wearer a false sense of security.
(So-called ‘risk compensation’).
Poor fitting of masks/face coverings make them
considerably less effective. Some people have
difficulty wearing masks e.g. those who have
respiratory diseases or those doing physically
demanding work.
Others will have difficulty in hearing people when
they are using masks or face coverings.
A recent paper on face coverings published on
26 June 20, by The Royal Society and The British
Society summarised the current advocated approach
to mask-wearing:
n ‘Cloth face coverings are effective in reducing
source virus transmission, i.e., outward protection
of others, when they are of optimal material
and construction (high-grade cotton, hybrid and
multilayer) and fitted correctly and for source
protection of the wearer.
n Socio-behavioural factors are vital to understanding
public adherence to wearing facemasks and
coverings, including public understanding of
virus transmission, risk perception, trust, altruism,
individual traits, and perceived barriers.
6COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN SECTION 7
SECTION 7: THE UNIVERSITY’S APPROACH
How to wear and a face mask/covering: See further
Face masks/face coverings must guidance Appendix 1
be worn in all indoor University How to dispose and wash a face covering: See
premises (with the exception of further guidance Appendix 2
staff in individual offices or office
bubbles) and in all areas where Exemption of wearing a mask/face covering
social distancing may be difficult
There are some circumstances, for health, age or
to maintain. equality reasons, where people are not expected
to wear face coverings. Please be mindful and
Staff and students medically respectful of such circumstances noting that some
exempt from wearing a face people are less able to wear face coverings than
others.
covering, should contact
ohquery@essex.ac.uk (staff) or According to the following government advice,
include@essex.ac.uk (students) in England, the following circumstances provide
for advice and guidance. exemptions from wearing face masks/face
coverings:
n young children under the age of 11
Taking into account the advice from the scientific n those who are not able to put on, wear or remove
community and from Government, the University a face covering because of a physical or mental
is mandating the use of masks/face coverings for illness or impairment, or disability
staff and students when attending campus in all n if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering
indoor University Premises and areas where social will cause severe distress
distancing may be difficult to maintain. n if travelling with or providing assistance to
someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
This will help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 n to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury,
and to protect each other. Signage on where face to yourself or others
coverings/masks are to be worn will be clearly n to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you
displayed around the campus. do not have a face covering with you
n to eat or drink
Every member of staff and student on our campuses n to take medication
will be issued with two washable face coverings. n if a police officer or other official requests you
remove your face covering
The University is currently also exploring the
purchase of clear facial masks or facial visors for staff
who may not want to wear a mask due to breathing
difficulties or to allow them to communicate with
others more easily (for example, for teaching staff
when lecturing, if they wish). The shields will only
protect direct aerosol spray at the shield; they do not
provide a seal around the face. Social distancing
must be maintained.
Face coverings may help us protect each other and
reduce the spread of the disease when we are in
an enclosed space where social distancing is not
possible and where we meet other people. They will
only be effective if they are worn properly covering
the nose, mouth and chin and fitted snugly.
7COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 1: PUTTING ON A MASK/FACE CLOTH CORRECTLY
Clean your hands first Make sure that the mask is
covering your mouth, nose
Inspect mask/face covering for and chin.
damage or if dirty
Avoid touching your mask.
If it’s a paper mask with one blue
side and one white, the blue side Do not share masks with others.
should be on the outside.
Poor fitting of masks/
Most masks including the face coverings makes them
University provided ones, have a considerably less effective.
metal insert in them this should be
positioned so it is at the top over
your nose. Pinch the metal insert
against the bridge of your nose
which will not only help keep it in
place and not slip down, but also
ensure you have a better seal.
8COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN APPENDIX 2
APPENDIX 2: REMOVING AND DISPOSAL OF MASKS/FACE CLOTH
When removing the mask, firstly Place the mask in a plastic bag
make sure that there are no – e.g. a zip lock bag secure bag
others within 1 metre of you doing tightly.
so.
Wash hands immediately after
Clean your hands. disposing of your mask. Never put
on a new facemask until you have
Remove the mask by the straps properly washed your hands.
behind the head and ears and pull
it away from your face. If you are wearing a re-usable,
washable mask/face covering
If you decide to wear a single like the University provided one,
use disposable mask instead of then wash it in soap or detergent
a washable face covering then preferably in hot water at least
you must ensure that this is done once a day. It can be washed by
correctly to prevent the spread of hand or machine and with other
infection. items of laundry.
9COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN REFERENCES
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11COVID-19: WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN
POLICY CREATOR: PEOPLE & CULTURE
Created: 08 September 2020
Amended: 28 September 2020
Review Date: In line with government guidelines,
or as the University considers moving to a new
protection level, whichever is sooner.
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