Coronavirus: Face masks at work? New business virus guidance is clear
Sky's business correspondent Paul Kelso says there is now clear guidance on whether you should wear a face mask at work.
Wednesday 13 May 2020 00:59, UK
Employees will not be advised to wear masks or face coverings when at work under government guidelines on how businesses can become "COVID-secure".
The guidelines, which provide information on how companies should manage the risk of coronavirus in eight broad workplace categories, are intended to help get businesses "up and running".
The advice on face masks and coverings contrasts with government advice that commuters should wear such protection if they have to use public transport.
That message, contained in the "road map" for England underlined by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in parliament, also advises the wearing of face coverings in confined space such as shops, where people may mix with individuals from beyond their household.
It suggests that people should wear a face covering on their way to work, but not once they get there.
The guidelines say face coverings can be "marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure" by protecting others if the wearer is an asymptomatic carrier, and advise employers to support workers if they wish to wear them.
But they do not recommend they be worn even where employees are in close proximity, describing them as less effective than other means of control.
"Face coverings are not a replacement for the other ways of managing risk, including time spent in contact, using fixed teams and partnering for close-up work, and increasing hand and surface washing."
Draft guidance circulated last week contained no information on PPE, leaving employers and workers in the dark ahead of today's publication
The guidelines are intended to give clarity and confidence to businesses and employees following a call for all those who can work to return in order to help the first stage of economic recovery.
Around 250 employers, business groups and unions have been consulted - many of whom raised concerns when drafts were circulated last week.
The finalised documents were released following criticism from unions and opposition leaders that they were not published to accompany Mr Johnson's television address on Sunday.
Unions have expressed concern that workplaces may not be safe for a rapid return to work, and business leaders are worried about where liabilities lie for the safety of returning staff.
The guidance is tailored to different settings such as outdoor workplaces, manufacturing, food production and retailers and focuses on five main points:
- Staff should work from home if they can, but those that cannot work from home should go to work, if their workplace is open
- Workplaces should carry out a risk assessment, in consultation with staff and unions, to set guidelines
- Two-metre social distancing should be maintained where possible, including by staggering start times, using one-way walk-throughs and changing seating layouts
- Where distance cannot be maintained the risk of transmission should be managed using barriers in shared spaces, having employees face away from each other and using fixed teams to minimised contacts
- Extra cleaning processes for "high-contact" objects like handles & keyboards, and employers should provide hand washing and sanitisers at entry or exit points.
The documents may provide the basis for further discussion with unions and employers. Agreement is crucial to giving workers the confidence to return.
The measures were welcomed by business groups.
Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, said: "Safety is at the heart of business thinking. Unless people feel safe, employees won't return, customers will stay away and the restart will falter, harming livelihoods and public services.
"This guidance will help. It gives firms a clearer picture of how to reopen safely and gradually."
Adam Marshall, her counterpart at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "This is a significant step forward in terms of the information available for businesses, who will now need to digest the detail.
"The guidance signals big changes for the way that many businesses operate, and some firms will now need time to plan and speak to their employees so that they can return to work safely.
"Alongside this guidance, businesses urgently need clarity on the future of government support schemes, which must be adapted to help those firms who need to remain closed for an extended period or face reduced capacity or demand."
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said the guidelines were a step in the right direction.
But she cautioned: "Working people will only feel confident if government and employers act now to make safer working a reality in every workplace.
"Getting this right is in the national interest. If rogue employers cut corners it puts us all at risk of another spike in infections."