Can employer force employees to wear masks/visors all the time

sazaccount

Takmon said:

Those issues will be purely physiological because there is no physical reason for masks to cause any of that. I have worn masks for extended periods and even while doing intense physical exercise without any of those issues. Yes they are unconformable and annoying to wear but they certainly don't cause any physical problems due to reduced airflow. 

I'm not sure that it is all down to physiological... I wear a mask for most of the day, I do sometimes feel headachy/nauseous this is from where they sit and pressure on my face/over my nose than "lack of oxygen" intake. My migraines do seem to be triggered/made worse by masks with the hard metal across the bridge of my nose than to a softer bar like in a disposable mask.  

My advise to the OP's friend is to try a couple of different masks and find the right one for "you" and have a spare either in you pocket or in your bag to switch out if it gets too damp. 

General_Grant

sazaccount said:

Takmon said:

Those issues will be purely physiological because there is no physical reason for masks to cause any of that. I have worn masks for extended periods and even while doing intense physical exercise without any of those issues. Yes they are unconformable and annoying to wear but they certainly don't cause any physical problems due to reduced airflow. 

I'm not sure that it is all down to physiological... I wear a mask for most of the day, I do sometimes feel headachy/nauseous this is from where they sit and pressure on my face/over my nose than "lack of oxygen" intake. My migraines do seem to be triggered/made worse by masks with the hard metal across the bridge of my nose than to a softer bar like in a disposable mask.  

My advise to the OP's friend is to try a couple of different masks and find the right one for "you" and have a spare either in you pocket or in your bag to switch out if it gets too damp. 

Has "physiological" changed its meaning?

Savvy_Sue

I suspect Takmon meant psychological, but I agree that finding the right mask is key. I have adapted several of mine: on those that have two strips of elastic going round my head, I have crossed the elastic and this makes for a better fit, and on those with ear loops I have joined the loops with a small loop of elastic, which pulls the loops away from my ears. It's a bit trial and error, but I now know which fit well and which to keep for emergency use. 

Takmon

General_Grant said:

Takmon said:

od244051 said:

My friend works at a supermarket. She has been told that they have to wear their masks all the time from tomorrow. Before you didn't need to wear a mask when in the back areas, when behind a till with screen and if working before/after supermarket closes. Now the exceptions are when eating/drinking, working in bakery (as it gets very hot), alone or outside. Outside work includes manning the entrance to control numbers, trolley retrieval and changing advertising banners on car park and the signs on the approach from road to car park.

My friend and colleagues have noticed if they wear their masks for long periods, they get lightheaded, headaches and feel sick. On days they do take off their masks off when they are behind a till or doing jobs in the back, they don't get the above issues. They have tried several types of masks and makes no difference. Unable to wear a shield unless they have one of those exemptions on the govt list. Nurses etc change their masks several times during their shifts and the supermarket staff are wearing the same mask for hours on end.

Can an employer make their employees do this?

Those issues will be purely physiological because there is no physical reason for masks to cause any of that. I have worn masks for extended periods and even while doing intense physical exercise without any of those issues. Yes they are unconformable and annoying to wear but they certainly don't cause any physical problems due to reduced airflow. 

?????????

My poor spelling and proofreading allowed it too autocorrect to the wrong word! Oops!

General_Grant

Takmon said:

General_Grant said:

Takmon said:

od244051 said:

My friend works at a supermarket. She has been told that they have to wear their masks all the time from tomorrow. Before you didn't need to wear a mask when in the back areas, when behind a till with screen and if working before/after supermarket closes. Now the exceptions are when eating/drinking, working in bakery (as it gets very hot), alone or outside. Outside work includes manning the entrance to control numbers, trolley retrieval and changing advertising banners on car park and the signs on the approach from road to car park.

My friend and colleagues have noticed if they wear their masks for long periods, they get lightheaded, headaches and feel sick. On days they do take off their masks off when they are behind a till or doing jobs in the back, they don't get the above issues. They have tried several types of masks and makes no difference. Unable to wear a shield unless they have one of those exemptions on the govt list. Nurses etc change their masks several times during their shifts and the supermarket staff are wearing the same mask for hours on end.

Can an employer make their employees do this?

Those issues will be purely physiological because there is no physical reason for masks to cause any of that. I have worn masks for extended periods and even while doing intense physical exercise without any of those issues. Yes they are unconformable and annoying to wear but they certainly don't cause any physical problems due to reduced airflow. 

?????????

My poor spelling and proofreading allowed it too autocorrect to the wrong word! Oops!

And sazaccount followed suit.  Must have the same autocorrect too.

sazaccount

General_Grant said:

And sazaccount followed suit.  Must have the same autocorrect too.

Dyslexic.....