Employer forcing facemasks

[Boxneeds]

With the latest guidance from the government that shop workers dont have to wear facemasks while at work can a employer force staff to wear them?

[paulajayne]

Yes, it is PPE and they can define what is required to carry out your work. Other items could be hard hat safety shoes, high viz jacket ETC.

Makes sense to wear one as you are in contact with people you do not know.

[Boxneeds]

So do employers have a legal duty to train staff on the correct way too wear ppe?

[jaguarsuk]

Yes they do, although a face mask I would imagine would require a simple information sheet or demonstration of putting one on by a supervisor or manager as opposed to something like a formal training course.