UB is “strongly encouraging” essential staff members working on campus to wear face coverings when in close proximity to other individuals or when providing customer services.

In a memo to university employees on April 6, Mark Coldren, associate vice president for human resources, said the university was updating its recommended safety measures in light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s April 4 recommendation that in addition to maintaining social distancing, the use of face coverings can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus by people who have the virus but have yet to show symptoms.

“It is important to remember that social distancing is still the primary way to slow the spread of COVID-19, and should be maintained regardless of whether a person is wearing a mask or face covering,” Coldren said. But if social distancing is not an option or is not feasible, he said, essential staff members are “strongly encouraged to wear face coverings when they are in close proximity of other individuals or when providing customer services.”

Essential staff members are not required to wear face coverings in situations when they are working alone in an area where they are isolated from other staff, he added.

Coldren noted that commercial masks are in short supply and UB may not be able to provide one for employees at this time. However, the university is attempting to obtain a supply of masks and will attempt to provide employees with one as they become available.

Essential staff are welcome to wear a face covering they bring from home, he said, such as cloth masks, surgical masks, shop/carpenter masks, bandanas and scarves.

Employees who bring an N95 respirator from home must report the equipment to their supervisor. “Because N95 respirators are tight-fitting, filtering face-pieces, their use requires UB to maintain compliance with the OSHA respiratory protection standard,” Coldren said. “Therefore, the employee may be required to read OSHA appendix D regarding the voluntary use of respirators, and sign off that they have read and understood the material.” Supervisors will assist with this task, he said.

Coldren stressed that individuals who work in patient-care situations or areas of special risk, such as the dental clinics, Student Health Services, animal facilities and University Police, should continue to wear personal proactive equipment as prescribed by their departmental manager. 

Those with questions can contact Coldren at 645-8155 or mcoldren@buffalo.edu.