May a worker bring personal protective equipment to use at work if the worker believes there is a risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on the job?

OSHA requires covered employers to provide required personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to protect workers on the job. The employer should follow the latest OSHA and CDC guidance and regulations, including on hazard assessment and PPE selection. For PPE that is not determined to be required to protect workers, the employer may permit or prohibit the use of worker’s personal equipment.

The CDC explains that masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask. Masks and respirators (i.e., specialized filtering masks such as “N95s”) can provide different levels of protection depending on the type of mask and how they are used:

• Loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection,
• Layered finely woven products offer more protection,
• Well-fitting disposable surgical masks and KN95s offer even more protection, and
• Well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators (including N95s) offer the highest level of protection for SARS-CoV-2.

Yet, cloth face coverings are NOT considered PPE. Whereas, surgical masks are used to protect workers against splashes and sprays (i.e., droplets) containing potentially infectious materials. In this capacity, surgical masks are considered PPE. Respirators are considered PPE.

Employers must train workers about how to put on, use, and take off PPE safely.