Providing Essential Workers with Cloth or Surgical Mask

Policy Statement

To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, critical employees will have access to necessary personal protective equipment to protect themselves and the community.

Reason for Policy

NYS Executive Order states that essential workers must be provided cloth or surgical masks free of charge.

Who Is Governed by this Policy

Approved essential employees working on campus during the COVID-19 emergency response.

Policy

As a result of the potential pandemic spread of infection from a novel virus, the deployment of personal protective equipment to essential workers as a nonpharmaceutical interventions will be used to help reduce disease transmission.

Roles and Responsibilities

In accordance with Executive Order #202.16, any employees who are present in the workplace shall be provided with and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public

Each responsible department head, manager, and/or supervisor in collaboration with EH&S and Health Services will ensure that all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) cloth or surgical masks are available in the appropriate sizes.

• Essential Adelphi employees and third party workers (e.g. Chartwells, Whiting-Turner) working in non-clinical/healthcare environments should use cloth or surgical masks while performing work activities and interacting with other staff and customers (e.g. Human Resources, Registrar, Provost Office).

All essential workers must have access to personal protective equipment and adhere to the following infection control work practices prior to and during their work shift. Essential workers can either choose to use their own PPE or contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at mglover-brown@adelphi.edu to arrange for drop off at their workstation or mail to their home address prior to the start of their work shift on campus.

Other protection methods required to be used in combination with personal protective equipment.

• Administrative Controls. Employees should be encouraged to implement the following administrative control measures
  • Decrease social contact in the workplace (e.g. limit in-person meetings, break room lunch breaks)
  • Staggering work schedules to minimize the close interaction within a workspace/office suite area.

• Social Distancing. The employee should maintain 6 feet and practice social distancing as work duties permit in the workplace.

• Handwashing & Use of Hand Sanitizer. Washing hands in an important way to reduce the risk of respiratory disease transmission. The hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contains at least 60% alcohol should be used when access to handwashing facilities is not readily available.

• Disinfect and Clean Work Spaces. Current research suggests that inanimate objects may become contaminated and serve as a source of disease transmission via hand contact. Clean and disinfect commonly used areas and shared equipment frequently, such as phones, computer keyboards, door knobs, desktops etc.

Employees who are unable to wear face coverings

Employees who are unable to wear face coverings based on the “Matilda’s Law” criteria (i.e. individuals 70 years of age or older, individuals with compromised immune systems, and underlying illnesses) should consult their direct supervisor to discuss options for reasonable accommodations. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety is available to provide assistance.

Definitions

This policy does not have definitions associated with it at this time. Upon periodic policy review, this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Procedures

This policy does not have procedures associated with it at this time. Upon periodic policy review, this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Forms

This policy does not have forms associated with it at this time. Upon periodic policy review, this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Related Information

• NYS Executive Order, #202.16, Date: April 12, 2020
• NYS Public Health Law, Section 12 or 12-b
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132, Appendix D Respiratory Protection Standard, Voluntary Use of Respirator
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

Document History

• Last Reviewed Date: April 14, 2020
• Last Revised Date: April 14, 2020
• Policy Origination Date: April 13, 2020

Who Approved This Policy

Approved by Executive Emergency Management Team per NYS Executive Order