What to Know About Face Masks & How to Communicate These Changes to Employees

With information released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending use of non-surgical face masks by the general public, it’s important to understand the information coming down the pipeline and how to effectively communicate these health and safety changes to your employees. In this blog post we will discuss which masks to use, how to properly wear them, how to clean them and more.

Do Not Purchase Surgical Masks or N-95 Respirator Masks

While shipments for medical supplies are being prioritized, hospitals are still facing critical supply shortages. These types of masks enable healthcare workers to safely do their job and to minimize transmission of the contagion. Surgical masks and N-95 masks must be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders per CDC guidelines. Instead, opt for a 100%  cotton mask. You can DIY your mask or purchase ready-made masks online. 

Where you can purchase cotton masks online:

Face Masks Are Intended to Slow the Transmission of COVID-19

A cotton face mask is not intended to protect the wearer, but it can catch droplets from their nose and mouth in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from passing to others. This is especially important when someone is asymptomatic. To help prevent asymptomatic transmission, the CDC urges wearing cloth masks to catch the droplets that we spray unknowingly. Consider requiring employees to wear masks in the workplace even when practicing the 6ft rule of social distancing. 

A recent study released by the CDC raises the possibility that the infection radius is potentially greater than originally believed, up to 13 feet. 

 

How to Properly Wear Cotton Masks

  • Wear a mask that can be secured with ties or ear loops
  • Ensure the mask fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
  • Include multiple layers of fabric or room to insert filters if possible
  • Make sure you can breathe freely while wearing the mask
  • Choose a mask that can be laundered and machine dried without compromising its integrity
  • When removing the mask it is equally important not to touch your eyes, mouth, or nose and to immediately wash your hands after.

All of this information should be articulated to employees written and verbally. Reference the CDC’s recommendations for wearing cloth face masks and make this information easily accessible to employees.

How to Effectively Clean Cotton Masks

Cloth masks should be washed routinely. Launder the masks using hot water and soap in the washing machine. Use a dryer afterwards. Every employee should be washing their masks each day before returning to work.

Workplace Disinfection of COVID-19

Aftermath offers COVID-19 cleanup to disinfect your workplace. We adhere to a stringent coronavirus demobilization process for our equipment, trucks and waste storage areas and also have the proper licensing/permitting to legally and safely perform the cleaning. 

For more information on our coronavirus cleaning methods visit our COVID-19 web page or call 877-769-6917.

 

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