Have any of you in manufacturing dropped the mask requirements for your facility?

Hello all,

Just curious, have any of you in manufacturing dropped the mask requirements for your facility?

The question from employees is almost asked daily and I can tell my FS culture is dropping.

It's especially difficult with beard nets as well.

I'm in Florida and even major retail stores no longer have the mandate in place.

I'm interested to see what others in our field are doing before approaching HR.

Thank you,

Michael  

Hello all,

 

Just curious, have any of you in manufacturing dropped the mask requirements for your facility?

 

The question from employees is almost asked daily and I can tell my FS culture is dropping.

It's especially difficult with beard nets as well.

I'm in Florida and even major retail stores no longer have the mandate in place.

 

I'm interested to see what others in our field are doing before approaching HR.

 

Thank you,

Michael  

Hey Micheal, we have decided to keep using mask inside of our production rooms. We make RTE chocolates and it will help with saliva dropping into the tempering machines while employees chat. I am happy about this. Extra CGMP!

In Canada, while we're not in the same boat (some of us in strict lock down still) my understanding is that masks may or may not be removed based on % vaccination rate

While we cannot legally ask if someone is vaccinated, the company did an anonymous poll to see how many were going to get vaccinated and production employees all get 4  hours paid with proof of vaccination, so we are still able to track really well

I personally believe that without vaccination rates known in a facility, they should stay put

We never muzzled to begin with, nor did any of  our clients.

Texas location, global company.

We are still enforcing masks inside where you are around someone (6ft). So basically, in my office if someone comes in, I will pull my mask up, but while I'm just sitting at my pc typing and no one else is in here I keep it down.

California facility - we are still having masks across all departments, including office, until the mandate changes.

Something nice that @Frenchygal12 mentioned is that our production will continue to wear them regardless, it's nice to ensure our food will have that extra protection from saliva, etc. while working the line. 

Illinois Facility - our state mask mandate updated to no masks required for those vaccinated, our facility updated with that policy.  Our employees are half and half as far as vaccination rate.  Social distancing isn't an issue for us, so we were fine with dropping masks for those vaccinated.  We still require all visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

The only reason we required masks originally was because it was mandated by the state.

The next hot topic everyone is asking about is when we can drop twice-daily temperature checks; the state still mandates those.

Multi-State. We have not dropped our requirements for mask use. 

Absenteeism has actually gotten better in the last 12 months. Anecdotal, yes, more data will follow.

Michigan Facility - Per state mandate, if you are vaccinated you no longer are required to wear a mask but may continue if you chose. Same with visitors. I also saw that OSHA updated their mandate to comply with this change. 

State of Alabama & Oklahoma we still require masks for everyone regardless of vaccination status.  I really hope we change this policy soon because I am quite tired of wearing the mask.

Both states are following updated CDC guidance with the mask use.  COVID rates have really dropped off the map in both of our locations which is a great thing to see.  At least I don't have to wear a mask in most places in the area I live.

Michigan Facility - Per state mandate, if you are vaccinated you no longer are required to wear a mask but may continue if you chose. Same with visitors. I also saw that OSHA updated their mandate to comply with this change. 

Where in the OSHA mandate did you find this?

We have not dropped masks due to recommendations from the CDC/OSHA for meat manufacturers. They still recommend masks.

wear face mask keep you safe and healthy

Didn't require, don't now.   We're naturally pretty far apart though.  Some people wore them, a few still do, but not many.   Most here are vaxxed.   Personally I was never worried about masking up, though I have been in places like grocery stores for others to feel safe.   CDC says mask up for safety and people scream "follow the science", CDC says they're no longer required and the chant changes to "I hate the CDC now!", LOL.   People in Mexico City we're wearing um when  I was living down there 20 years before covid, so whatever.

It seems no matter what some folks are going to wear masks the rest of their lives out of fear/overabundance of caution, and that's cool, whatevsX2. 

I am not one of those people.

MIOSHA updated this to reflect our governors order following CDC guidelines. It's on the MIOSHA website under their 'Emergency Rules'

(4) The employer shall require any employee, except fully vaccinated persons, to wear face coverings when employees cannot consistently maintain 6 feet of separation from other individuals indoors in the workplace. However, fully vaccinated persons must continue to wear face coverings when in the healthcare setting where patients may be present and when using airplane or public transportation if required by the latest CDC guidance. (5) Compliance with subrules (2) and (4) of this rule may be accomplished in a manner deemed effective for the place of employment. This may include: (a) Keeping records of whether employees are fully vaccinated persons, and exempting them from subrules (2) and (4) of this rule accordingly. (b) Posting signs in the work area reminding employees that are not fully vaccinated to wear face coverings and maintain appropriate distancing. © Allowing or requiring remote work. (d) Requiring face coverings and social distancing for all employees regardless of vaccination status.

https://www.michigan...es_726100_7.pdf

Where in the OSHA mandate did you find this?

 

We have not dropped masks due to recommendations from the CDC/OSHA for meat manufacturers. They still recommend masks.