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Should I wear a mask while working?
Mask
1910.1030(d)(3)(x)
"Masks, Eye Protection, and Face Shields.
Masks in combination with eye protection devices, such as
goggles or glasses with solid side shields, or chin-length face shields,
shall be worn whenever splashes, spray, spatter, or droplets of blood or
other potentially infectious materials may be generated and eye, nose,
or mouth contamination can be reasonably anticipated."
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"Surgical mask...were not designed or approved...as respiratory protective
devices." Summary OpCit p.51
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"...respirators are not recommended for protection against bloodborne
disease because there is no evidence that bloodborne pathogens can
be or have been transmitted in the healthcare workplace by the
respiratory route." p.51
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"Assuming a 'worst case' of a single virion infectivity and knowing the
capability of minute aerosols to remain suspended in air and
therefore spread widely through the facility, respiratory protection
would be necessary for essentially every person within the facility.
However, if such a situation were true, the Agency would expect
seroconversion rates to be drastically increased among those
exposed; but this does not appear to be the case. "Summary, p.52"
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"OSHA is not aware of specific engineering controls and work practices
that are currently available to address control of aerosols." p.51
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...the Agency (OSHA) lacks sufficient information in some important areas
which it feels must be obtained before it can require employers to
control exposures to aerosols...CDC and NIOSH...are unaware of
research indicating viability of these viruses (HIV and HBV) in
aerosols."
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