Is it law to wear masks at work if you can't work from home ?.

[Molly333]

Is it law for people to wear masks at work if people can't work at home ? My partner is wearing his but others are not , saying 'well it's not law so I don't have to'. It's causing so much stress here

No it's not law, but his company should have a COVID policy and that may call for it?

Depends where he works

It’s not law.

It does have a policy and only suggests it so people don't

Unfortunately OP there’s a wide definition of exemption for those can’t wear masks which anybody can claim applies to them and they cannot be challenged or asked to prove their exemption.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#exemptions

My work involves entering various different typs of work places so see a lot of what is happenning, hardly any people where masks whilst at work aside from the obvious places.

Covid secure in the workplace is a bit of a myth and just lip service.

Surely it depends on the job. The type of workplace and the policies the management have implemented
In our place we wear masks all the time unless eating - no exceptions at all

No. I don't wear a mask work in a kitchen at care home. Obviously when l leave the kitchen l do. Managers tried to say we had to wear one a few weeks ago. That's never happening it's to hot and Thier is no need for us to do so. We mainly work alone and if not can socially distance

No.

If the risk assessment is that the workplace is ‘COVID secure’ without masks (workers can distance more than 2m from others, adequate ventilation etc) then no one needs to wear masks.

Why is your DP stressed by it?

If management have a policy of mask wearing then employees have a duty to adhere to that policy under HSAWA.

The company I work for has a policy and mask wearing is compulsory. It's not law, but not complying could lead to disciplinary proceedings.

No. It's optional at my work and most people don't bother. We currently have 9 people off tested positive.

His workplace should have a risk assessment you cam see and mask wearing (or not) should be covered in that.

My workplace says you have to wear a mask moving round the building but not while sitting at your desk.

It’s just become policy at DH’s workplace ( large food production factory) it was voluntary before, they put screens up between every worker on the lines but they would stick their heads around them to talk 🙄
All the office staff wfh and he has colleagues who are CV who have been off on full pay since March. He’s been wearing a mask for months when out on the factory floor but at least he has an office to retreat to, he’s engineering so can’t wfh.

It depends on the workplace, but it's not law and doesn't even seem to be encouraged. The guidance for offices is that "Employers should support their workers in using face coverings safely if they choose to wear one". I'm really surprised there hasn't been more effort to encourage them.

At DH work it depends what building you are in. In his building, the almost empty HQ building they aren't required and it's almost pointless as there's only a handful of people (the rest working from home). The security building to enter the site, it's compulsory unless they are checking your ID and taking your photograph but it's a constant stream of people entering

People have to use common sense. Unfortunately not everyone has common sense.

Depends on where you work. If you work in a school then you are not allowed to wear one.