Literature review to integrate information to assist workers to select masks even at workplaces without occupational health personnel

Abstract

Background: With the COVID-19 pandemic, the idea of universal mask wearing to prevent infecting others when one becomes infected has prevailed among people. In general, any workplace is not exempt and workers are required to wear a mask while working at the sites.

Objectives: This study aims to integrate information to assist workers to select effective protectors for the prevention of droplet infection even at workplaces without occupational health personnel.

Methods: A total of 94 studies were included in this study: 91 studies were identified in MEDLINE, which was used for the literature search, and an additional three studies were identified from other information sources. The studies were checked to eliminate duplication and narrowed down to 31 based on the titles and abstracts. The contents of the 31 studies were read through and then 19 studies were extracted for careful reading.

Results and conclusions: Regarding the protectors used at workplaces, it was suggested that (1) workers continue to use respiratory protectors as needed at sites where respiratory protectors such as an N95 respirator had to be used even before the spread of COVID-19 and (2) wear surgical masks, multi-layer cloth masks, or hybrid fabric masks made of several types of fabrics that are recommended in terms of preventing dissemination of droplets and protecting against inhalation of droplets, selected according to the working conditions, taking account of air permeability, breathability, and durability.

Keywords: aerosol; droplet; literature review; mask; protector.