Request ID: FOI-2350-2122 Date published: 08 February 2022
You asked
I travel on the underground Monday to Friday and see a lot of underground staff not wearing masks I know that certain people will be exempt from wearing masks due to medical conditions Can you tell me what are the criteria for the staff exemption as they all appear to be front line and healthy
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-2350-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 14th January 2022 asking for information about exemptions for mask wearing for London Underground staff.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“I travel on the underground Monday to Friday and see a lot of underground staff not wearing masks I know that certain people will be exempt from wearing masks due to medical conditions Can you tell me what are the criteria for the staff exemption as they all appear to be front line and healthy.” Government advice (see here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#if-you-are-not-able-to-wear-a-face-covering) on the wearing of face coverings states that: “There are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. Some people are less able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others.” The advice goes on to list the following reasons why people may be exempt - note that this list is not exhaustive:
children under the age of 11 (the UK Health Security Agency does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
people for whom putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause severe distress
people speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
to avoid the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others
police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public
While national requirements on the wearing of face coverings have now been lifted it remains a requirement to wear a mask on TfL services unless an exemption applies. For TfL staff to be exempt from wearing a mask they have to have seen their GP and had a referral to our Occupational Health (OH) service. No exemption is accepted without OH confirmation More general information on the wearing of face coverings on TfL services can be found on our website here:
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
