Cloth masks

Cloth masks

37. The main benefit of everyone wearing a cloth mask is to reduce the amount of virus containing droplets being coughed up by those with the infection and transmitted to others and to surfaces that others may touch. Since some infected persons may not have symptoms or may not know they are infected, the Department of Health requires that all persons wear cloth masks when in a public place.

38. For the reasons underlying the Department of Health’s requirement, every employer must –

38.1 provide each of its employees, free of charge, with a minimum of two cloth masks, which comply with the requirements set out in the Department of Health’s recommendations, for the employee to wear while at work and while commuting to and from work; and

38.2 require any other worker to wear masks in the workplace.

39. The number and replaceability of cloth masks that must be provided to an employee or required of other workers must be determined in accordance with any sectoral guideline and in the light of the employee or worker’s conditions of work, in particular, where these may result in the mask becoming wet or soiled.

40. Every employer must ensure that workers are informed, trained, instructed and supervise as to the correct use of cloth masks.

41. The general requirement for workers to wear masks does not derogate from the fact that, where a risk assessment indicates that specific personal protective equipment is required, those categories of workers must be provided with the accredited personal protective equipment in accordance with Department of Health guidelines.