Doctor's Note Cost (Face Mask)

Andy_L

MarkN88 said:

 onwards&upwards said:

MarkN88 said:

onwards&upwards said:

MarkN88 said:

onwards&upwards said:

unforeseen said:

silvercar said:

HollyTrees said:

MarkN88 said:

HollyTrees said:

I heard today that staff at shops dont need to wear face coverings, so currently employers cant make staff wear them. 

Course they can. It’s their workplace. They choose. 

But there are workers rights. But I will say its not going to be fair if shop staff doesn't have to wear face coverings when the customer has to. 
But then this wouldn't surprise me either. 

Shop staff are in the shop for 8 hours a day. Customers are in there for a short time and can leave. Whereas I am prepared to wear a mask for the short time I am in a shop, I can imagine that it would become very uncomfortable to wear one all day.

The nursing profession manage. 

They don't enjoy it, it is uncomfortable. 

It’s not about enjoyment it’s about safety

I know, just pointing out that nurses aren’t saints and we complain about our masks too!  

I’m not sure there’s a safety argument for a shop worker to wear one if they are behind a screen.

“Shop worker” can include many jobs within a store, only checkout staff will be behind a screen, what about staff that replenish, clean, are supervisors and have to walk around, the duty manager that will be everywhere, the store manager that will also have to be everywhere to be operationally up to date , security staff, etc. 

That’s why I said IF they are behind a screen. 

So therefore there is still a safety aspect for some shop workers like I originally pointed out. 

In which case H&S legislation will mean they have to wear a mask

happybagger

As usual this kind of discussion ends up as the pro- and anti- maskers facing each other off on morals etc, however as it stands the rules on shop staff and face masks/visors etc are clear.

While the legislation implementing face coverings for shoppers in England has not yet been introduced, so you need to see exactly what it says when it is, I offer the following  taken from the HSE document "Working safely during Covid 19 in shops and branches", which makes the advise crystal clear:

additional PPE beyond what you usually wear is not beneficial. This is because COVID-19 is a different type of risk to the risks you normally face in a workplace, and needs to be managed through social distancing, hygiene and fixed teams or partnering, not through the use of PPE

Workplaces should not encourage the precautionary use of extra PPE to protect against COVID-19

Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by law, including in the workplace.

Nothing in the document prevents an employee using a face covering should they wish to do so.
Any employer who requires an employee to use such an item against this Government advise could well find themselves in trouble. That goes for any employee who has a medical reason, or choice.

Grumpy_chap

And when was that advise published @happybagger?  In a fast moving situation with changing knowledge, the best practice can evolve quickly.

happybagger

Original document was from the first week of April with initial advice for those that were at the time described as "essential retailers". It was amended on 25 May when 'non-essential' shops re-opened.  It was further amended on 10 July, following the proposed change to face mask rules for customers in England. That is the document I have quoted from (Section 6) and that advice has not changed from first issue.
Document here

AuntyJean

Hi all,

Need advice for my partner who has returned to work and has been advised he has to wear a face mask for 8 hours per day.  He has asthma (on medication from GP) and breathing difficulties (the ‘company nurse’ referred him to his GP who referred him to hospital for tests but no actual diagnosis ever provided – the work medical records show he has the lungs of a 90yr old).

 A H&S officer provided him with a shield as an alternative which he is comfortable with. However, they are saying that he can no longer wear the shield and must wear a mask?

What can he do to avoid this? It is stressing him out? He has to see nurse again tomorrow.

 

Dr_Crypto

Sounds like he needs the mask more than anybody! If he’s got the lungs of a 90 year old then he won’t do well if he covid. 

Thrugelmir

AuntyJean said:

What can he do to avoid this? It is stressing him out? He has to see nurse again tomorrow.

 

Find a more suitable job that caters for his condition. . 

AuntyJean

PS he is 62 - no alternative job options

elsien

Ask for an individual risk assessment taking his condition into account?
He needs to ask them why the shield is no longer ok and why he needs the mask. Is he working in close proximity to other people? 

AuntyJean

Elsien, Thank your for your advice regarding individual assessment.  There are distancing rules in practice