Frequently Asked Questions about Masks

There is a distinct difference between respirators (i.e., N95) and other masks (e.g., surgical masks, nuisance dust masks with one strap). Respirators (covered by OSHA regulations) are designed to reduce a worker’s exposure to airborne contaminants, while surgical masks protect other people against infection/COVID-19 from the person wearing the surgical mask (not considered respirators by OSHA and are not covered by their respiratory protection standard). Unfortunately, all N95 respirators, as well as other types of dusk masks, are in very short supply, and NAHB has not secured any supplier for respirators or masks for distribution to members.

It is really difficult to make a blanket statement because the concentration of harmful airborne contaminants, such as dust from silica, wood, lead paint, drywall, soil/dirt, etc., vary by tasks and jobsite conditions. Because of the shortages of respirators, NAHB has been encouraging employers to reassess their engineering controls, work practices, (e.g., wet cut concrete or use dust collection) and administrative controls (e.g., limiting the amount of time workers perform task) for dusty operations to identify any changes they can make to decrease the need for respirators.

Right now, there is not a one size fits all approach to wearing face coverings on construction jobsites to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 — it is up to each locale and employer to make a determination if it is necessary.

The CDC currently recommends wearing cloth face coverings (not respirators) in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission of COVID-19. Also, some local jurisdictions are requiring face coverings when in public.