How often should a face mask be replaced?

Masks should be single-use (length of shift is not a critical factor, but masks should be safely disposed after a single use). The mask serves to "concentrate" any microbe on the surface, and COVID-19 is viable for 7 days on the surface of a mask.

Is it not safer to have mask mandatory for all plant employees as a preventive action?

Since an asymptomatic worker can carry the virus, all plant staff working in close proximity with inadequate physical distancing measures in place should be equipped with at least non-medical face masks. These masks should not replace the existing workplace respiratory protection program requirements; Another type of mask or respirator may be indicated based on a task-based hazard assessment, so your respiratory protection program should be re-evaluated and revised as needed to address biological hazards such as COVID-19.

If masks are used, they should be single-use and disposed after each use, or laundered after each use in the case of non-medical fabric masks. COVID-19 can remain viable on a mask for 7 days (Lancet). 

How would you recommend testing PPE before providing to employees to ensure quality of the product?

An industrial hygienist should review the specs and certifications and decide if they are appropriate for the intended use. Watch the Respiratory Protection Basics webina by our Industrial Hygiene Specialist for more information.

Your Workplace Respiratory Protection Program among all should include respirator fit testing and training of each worker. For specific assistance, contact us to schedule a call with our industrial hygienist or contact your respirator protection provider for assistance with the selection process and training. 

What considerations, obligations and guidance do you have for employers when employees come to work with their own PPE (e.g. N95, P100) during COVID-19?

Ultimately, the employer is responsible for providing appropriate controls (up to and including PPE if needed) and training employees follow procedures and use PPE effectively. That is true whether the PPE is provided by the employer or by the employee. Employers should have a program and policy in place around the provision of PPE. If an employee is using PPE that requires fit testing or maintenance, the employer is responsible for providing the necessary training. Employees should also understand how the PPE fits into the hierarchy of controls and protocols in place in the plant to protect workers. Employers may make the decision not to allow employees to provide their own PPE if they cannot be confident that it's quality PPE and in good condition.

Some workers are opting to wear Cloth and Surgical masks. It is important to make aware that these types of masks may not protect you from the virus. These do not form a tight seal with the face and are not considered as an equivalent to the N95s. Cloth and surgical masks have their limitations, and these should be communicated to your workers.  See this document from WorkSafeBC, on the differences between Cloth, Surgical, and Disposable N95 respirators.

What should I consider when looking at substitutions for N95 respirator masks?

All respirators are rated to protect against a certain concentration of particulates. The N95 gives the minimum acceptable protection for an infectious contaminant such as COVID-19. The information contained in this briefing is valid ONLY when looking for alternatives to the N95. In most manufacturing and food processing use cases, the alternative options noted provide greater protection than the N95 respirator mask.

Fit testing is required for any tight-fitting respirator, including the N95 and any half face/full face alternative respirator. Certain exceptions may apply.

Some workers are opting to wear Cloth and Surgical masks. It is important to make aware that these types of masks may not protect you from the virus. These do not form a tight seal with the face and are not considered as an equivalent to the N95s. Cloth and surgical masks have their limitations, and these should be communicated to your workers.  See this document from WorkSafeBC, on the differences between Cloth, Surgical, and Disposable N95 respirators.

What are alternatives when N95 respirator masks are not available?

Where N95s are currently used and no new supply can be located, alternatives
may be sourced. When sourcing possible alternatives, look for labels that say:

• N99/N100;
• R95/R99/R100; or
• P95/P99/P100.

The numbers (95/99/100) indicate how efficient the mask is at filtering (a mask labeled
95 is 95-per cent efficient at filtering). The letters denote the following:

• N = Not resistant to oil particulates
• R = resistant to oil particulates
• P = oil-proof

Manufacturers should review their risk assessments to determine if N, R, or P is appropriate. Any mask rated 95 or above is sufficient.

Some workers are opting to wear Cloth and Surgical masks. It is important to make aware that these types of masks may not protect you from the virus. These do not form a tight seal with the face and are not considered as an equivalent to the N95s. Cloth and surgical masks have their limitations, and these should be communicated to your workers.  See this document from WorkSafeBC, on the differences between Cloth, Surgical, and Disposable N95 respirators.

What is acceptable PPE if workers have to work closer together than 2 metres?

If it is not practicable to eliminate work that causes workers to be within two metres of each other, the encroachment on physical distancing should be kept as brief as possible, through planning the work task and providing instructions to workers.

Utilize your joint health and safety committee or worker representative to identify risks and effective controls for your workplace.

The joint health and safety committee plays an important role in your occupational health and safety program, giving workers and employers a way to work together to identify and find solutions to workplace health and safety issues. The joint committee has the following specific duties and functions:

Identify situations that may be unhealthy or unsafe for workers, and advise on effective systems for responding to those situations

• Consider, and promptly deal with complaints relating to the health and safety of workers
• Consult with workers and the employer on issues related to occupational health and safety, and the occupational environment
• Make recommendations to the employer and the workers for the improvement of the occupational health and safety, and the occupational environment of workers
• Make recommendations to the employer on educational programs promoting the health and safety of workers and compliance with Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act and the regulations, and to monitor their effectiveness
• Advise the employer on programs and policies required under the regulations for the workplace, and to monitor their effectiveness
• Advise the employer on proposed changes to the workplace, including significant proposed changes to equipment and machinery, or the work processes that may affect the health or safety of workers
• Ensure that accident investigations and regular inspections are carried out as required
• Participate in inspections, investigations, and inquiries as provided in Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act and Section 3 of the Regulation

In workplaces where a worker health and safety representative is required, the representative has the same duties and functions as a joint committee, to the extent practicable.

We are unable to get certain required items, such as gloves, from our regular suppliers due to shortages. As an essential service, is there a resource we can contact to get some of these supplies?

Please see our PPE page for information on where to source personal protective equipment.

Are dirty coveralls considered a biohazard?

Dirty coveralls would not be considered as a biohazard. They may be considered as contaminated, if anything. Recommend to follow disinfection protocols in place between uses.

Is it ok to reuse cleanroom coveralls the next day or more in a manufacturing environment if the gown (inside) has already had contact with outside clothes?

This will need to be evaluated and assessed via your risk assessment. Cross contamination is possible if the gown has had contact with outside clothing, but can only be confirmed via your site specific risk assessment.

Can you please provide posters on how to wear and remove masks and gloves?

We use N95 masks for dust. Can we replace them with someone else? We would like to send what we have to a hospital.

Absolutely, there are alternative respirators available.

Look for labels saying a respirator is N99, N100, or R95, R99, R100, or P95, P99, P100.

95 indicates that it is 95% efficient in filtering, 99 indicates it is 99% efficient in filtering and 100 indicates it is 99.97% efficient in filtering. N, R, P is denoted as the following:

• N= Not resistant to oil particulates
• R = resistant to oil particulates
• P = oil proofBased on a risk assessment of the tasks to be done, decide whether N, R, or P is appropriate. In terms of efficiency, choose any 95, 99, or 100-rated respirator at this point. At minimum, should be a N95.

In some workplaces, chemical cartridges may also be considered. Chemical cartridges are rated to protect against specific chemicals: organic vapors, ammonia, etc. There are cartridges that function as dual chemical and particulate filters. Ensure that any of the cartridges that are considered can filter dust, as discussed above (N95, N99, N100, or R95, R99, R100, or P95, P99, P100). For certain cartridges, you can add on a particulate filter as an attachment piece.