COVID-19: Commonly Asked Questions at Small Business Webinars
1. Q. Can I make my customers where a mask or face covering to protect my workers against COVID-19?
A. Some municipalities and public health units have introduced or are considering using a bylaw or a communicable disease order under
section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) to require the use of masks or face coverings in indoor public spaces. There
are 34 health units in the province and more than 400 municipalities.
Workplace parties are reminded that the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) continue to apply in all workplaces,
including those subject to a local mask or face covering rule. In the event of a conflict, the requirements of the OHSA would prevail over a
municipal bylaw or public health order.
Employers should acquaint themselves with the:
• The requirements of any local public health unit order– available at
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/system/services/phu/locations.aspx
• specific requirements of any bylaw – available at the website in municipality which they are located.
• As an example, here is a link to the City of Toronto information: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-what-you-
should-do/covid-19-orders-directives-by-laws/mandatory-mask-or-face-covering-bylaw/
Note: a person shall be exempt from wearing a Face Covering on the premises if: the person is a child under the age of two years;
wearing a face covering would inhibit the person's ability to breathe in any way; or for any other medical reason the person cannot safely
wear a face covering
Learn more about face coverings, including a list of their limitations by reviewing the Government of Canada's Considerations in the use
of homemade masks to protect against COVID-19. For further guidance on the use of homemade face coverings – you can consult the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 document.
2. Q. Can I make my workers wear masks or face coverings?
A. Workers MUST use the personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by their employer
Your workplace should assess if Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)* needs to be part of your hazard control plan. PPE should only be
considered after other feasible control measures have been implemented. To learn more about PPE and face coverings, please visit
https://www.ontario.ca/ or the WSPS Pandemic Playbook. https://www.wsps.ca/WSPS/media/Site/Resources/Downloads/post-
pandemic-business-playbook.pdf?ext=.pdf
*NOTE: Please be reminded that face coverings (non-medical masks) do not constitute PPE, as they do not protect the wearer from
exposure. While these kinds of masks can be part of a program to reduce COVID-19 transmission if worn uniformly in a workplace, they
are not a substitute for physical distancing. Check out WSPS FAQ: PPE Considerations
www.Ontario.ca/ppe (find PPE suppliers)
3. Q. Should I wear gloves to protect myself against COVID-19? Should I make my workers wear gloves?
A. Impervious gloves should be worn when appropriate for chemical exposures and are not a primary control to prevent exposure to COVID-
19. In fact, gloves for chemical and biological agents may put workers at a higher risk when not taken off properly and may provide a
false sense of security. When wearing gloves, people may be less inclined to wash their hands. This is counterproductive and puts others
at a higher risk of infection.
Proper use of gloves and their limitations requires training, including reinforcement that handwashing is still required even when wearing
gloves. Gloves may also pose other health risks, such as dermatitis and an entanglement hazard with certain equipment.
If gloves are being worn in the workplace, ensure a risk assessment is completed to implement the right gloves for the task (e.g. cleaning
with disinfectants). Safety data sheets can be used to further evaluate the appropriate control in this instance. All gloves must be
disposed of in garbage bags/bins. (Note: WSPS FAQ: PPE Considerations – free download)
