Defence Team members – measures for returning to the workplace

July 23, 2020 – Defence Stories

With COVID-19 still active in many communities, Canadians at home and abroad are asked to continue practicing the recommended Personal Health Measures (PHM) and wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially when physical distancing is not possible.

For Defence Team members returning to the workplace, it may be challenging to complete all tasks and duties from a distance of more than two meters (six feet) from colleagues. To ensure the health and safety of all Defence Team members, all staff who cannot practice proper physical distancing while working on-site are required to wear a DND/CAF-issued non-medical mask (NMM).

Masks

Many different types of masks can offer effective protection to staff members. When worn properly, a person wearing a NMM or face covering can reduce the spread of their own infectious respiratory droplets.

Masks typically worn by health care providers such as medical/surgical masks or respirators (such as N95) are not required for everyone. NMM are also effective in preventing spread of the virus.

Non-medical masks or face coverings should:

• allow for easy breathing;
• fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops;
• maintain their shape after washing and drying;
• be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty;
• be comfortable and not require frequent adjustment;
• be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material fabric (such as cotton or linen); and
• be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose and mouth without gaping

Non-medical masks or face coverings should not:

• be shared with others;
• impair vision or interfere with tasks;
• be placed on children under the age of two years;
• not be made of plastic or other non-breathable materials;
• be secured with tape or other inappropriate materials;
• be made exclusively of materials that easily fall apart, such as tissues;
• be placed on anyone unable to remove them without assistance or anyone who has trouble breathing; and
• have exhalation valves because they don't protect others from COVID-19 and don't limit the spread of the virus

Note: Local public health officials will make recommendations based on a number of factors, including the rates of infection and/or transmission in the community. Recommendations may vary from location to location.

Other measures

Wearing a mask alone will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is important to consistently and strictly adhere to good hygiene and public health measures, including frequent hand washing and physical (social) distancing.

Defence Team members have also been directed to follow all other measures put in place by the Department to protect health and safety, including:

• staying at home if you are ill or experiencing any symptoms;
• maintaining a two-metre physical distance from others;
  • when physical distancing cannot be maintained, a non-medical mask or homemade face covering must be worn; and
• avoid touching your face, mouth, nose or eyes

For information on how to properly wear your mask including the do’s and don’ts, please visit the following links:

• Video: COVID-19: How to wear a non-medical mask or face covering properly
• Download the poster on the do’s and don’ts of wearing a non-medical mask or face covering

Related links:

• Non-medical masks and face coverings: About
• Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19): Prevention and risks
• Use of non-medical cloth masks or face coverings in community settings
• Medical masks and N95 respirators

Other resources:

For more information on Business Resumption, reach out to your supervisor, Chain of Command, or check out the following resources on the Defence Team – COVID-19 page:

• Resuming Work information and directives
• Resuming Work FAQs
• Ask Anything
• Supervisors Toolkit
• Communications Toolkit