From: "Wiediger, Susan" <swiedig**At_Symbol_Here**SIUE.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] DRAFT - Please review and send comments.
Date: Tue, 19 May 2020 18:09:04 +0000
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: DM6PR07MB4508BF19FF9307FCA8D609B4C8B90**At_Symbol_Here**DM6PR07MB4508.namprd07.prod.outlook.com
In-Reply-To <420E3ED2-711A-4EBF-952A-4FC43C84D1DC**At_Symbol_Here**helixenv.com>


 

A few questions, if I may, since the posted ideas were a starting point looking for feedback:

I’m setting aside Check Facilities 1 & 3, which are more about considering the passage of time in unused facilities (and useful!)

I won’t comment much on Check Facilities 2 & 4. Although they do not seem particularly feasible to me, especially for small companies, or large companies without in-house expertise… I guess the expectation is that everyone will pay professional cleaners to do the second, rely on their guarantee, and hope not to get scammed by unqualified folks, and we’ll all get larger workplaces with smaller workforces to enable the fourth.

The information chains for the last three portions are generally good – adapted to local communication chains and bureaucracy, perhaps.

 

The entry conditions are perhaps the most problematic. How do you establish COVID 19 symptoms that don’t overlap with allergies? Mass transit exclusion is impractical. Just walking on a busy sidewalk could be as risky, and if you do have a car, park and then walk to workplace... do you re-check everyone if they go out for lunch or an off-site meeting? There is a lot of really creative work in trying to control where people stand, enter, exit…but they all seem to work best at low densities, and our world does not completely function at low densities.

 

And in general....

Why do we think that everyone will abide by such stringent requirements...forever? People on this list have safety experience (most more than me) and know compliance with extreme measures requires high hazard and risk thoroughly explained and obviously present, requires shorter shifts due to the stress, and, perhaps, the ability to fire people who don’t follow the rules. How is this pandemic sufficiently different from influenza, Zika, or AIDS to convince people to live with stringent protocols for months or years? Please note I’m not saying the virus isn’t different – I’m talking about societal response.

 

I guess hope springs eternal that “this time” will be the event that permanently changes human behavior – but I’m not convinced there is a stick large enough to get compliance with some of the ideas I’m hearing (not just from this listserv) from the size populations that folks are trying to control.

 

I delayed in sending this, but was reminded by the upcoming document from CSHEMA…I value reading all of the re-opening documents that folks have shared, and think that some of the ideas are useful to discuss – but haven’t seen one yet that seems likely to work broadly. Maybe thinking practically opens up people to too much liability?

 

Sue

 

 

 

 

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Ralph Froehlich
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2020 3:04 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] DRAFT - Please review and send comments.

 

DCHAS:

 

I thought that some DCHAS members may be interested in this draft 2020 RETURN TO WORK POLICY & PROGRAM for review & comment. 

 

Maybe if we can agree on a final document, we could issue it as a guidance document for workplaces, schools, universities, research centers, and with modifications, healthcare organizations. It makes more sense to jointly agree on the expectations for return to work, than each individual putting together a program.

 

Ralph A. Froehlich, CIH, CSP, QEP

Helix Environmental, Inc. 

(937) 226-0650 office

rfroehlich**At_Symbol_Here**helixenv.com

 

2020 RETURN TO WORK POLICY & PROGRAM

 

 

PREPARE/CHECK FACILITIES

1.     Verify that all facility systems are operational and correct as needed:

•Electric

•HVAC

•Plumbing

•Roof/Walls/Windows/Doors

•Information Technology

•Fuel Oil/Natural gas

•Security systems and barriers

•Fire safety equipment

•Emergency response equipment

•Flammable/Toxic Gas monitors/lab hoods/local exhaust ventilation

•Pollution control equipment

•Waste, Universal Waste, Hazardous Waste storage and transport

•Breakroom refrigerators

2.     Clean and disinfect workplace including all surfaces accessible to worker touch. Consider verification testing to ensure disinfection of contact surfaces.

3.     Replenish expired supplies (first aid, eyewash fluids, vending machines, time- or temperature-dependent reagents, bottled drinking water, soap/sanitizer, etc.).

4.     Establish barriers/location marking to identify social distancing expectations and encourage compliance in manufacturing and break areas.

 

ESTABLISH ENTRY SCREENING

1.     Establish acceptable entry screening conditions (temperature/health, reported contact with COVID-19 victims, ordered isolation).

 

             ACCEPTABLE ENTRY CONDITIONS (Adjust as needed)

1.     Body temperature less than 100.4=B0F (38=B0C)

2.     Entrant in good health/not feeling ill.

3.     No other COVID-19 symptoms in past 7 days (Fever, Headache, Cough, Shortness of Breath, Chills, Muscle Pain, Sore Throat, Loss of smell or taste).

4.     No contact with positive or suspect-positive COVID-19 victims in past 14 days.

5.     Not ordered to quarantine or self-isolate by physician or government agent.

6.     Not traveled on mass transportation in past 14 days.

 

2.     Delineate screening area to maintain social distancing, mark entry line spacing, and provide screening equipment (no-touch thermometers, hand sanitizer, facemasks, gloves, etc.). Consider tents for screening area/wait lines.

3.     Train screeners on required PPE and screening procedures and security personnel on screening security issues.

4.     Provide written instructions to diverted personnel regarding isolation and criteria for discontinuing isolation/return to work policy.

5.     Establish diversion rooms with social distancing for those identified as unacceptable for entry. Make sure that diversion rooms are accessible to exterior.

6.     Provide diverted personnel with transportation to medical services or residence. Ensure that support systems are in place for diverted workers.

 

INFORM SUPERVISORS, WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS

1.     Use direct communication (letters, emails, telephone calls, newspapers, video news, social media) to notify all about restart of facility.

2.     Plan for restart after week DEPENDING ON COVID-19 CONDITIONS. Allow for changes if needed.

3.     Consider pre-work “Open House” to demonstrate new entry requirements and facility entry conditions.

4.     Consider offering employers video tours of entry screening procedures through social media.

5.     Train workers on new work procedures and expectations by video conferencing or accessible video tour. Mark entry stations.

 

SCREEN WORKERS FOR ENTRY

1.     Establish staggered entry times by workgroups to minimize wait times.

2.     Use screening to reinforce additional PPE requirements (safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.)

3.     Anticipate delays and frustrations; use videos and music to reduce tensions.

4.     Ensure that diverted workers are cared for.

 

IDENTIFY PROBLEM AREAS/BOTTLENECKS FOR ATTENTION

1.     Establish command area for problem identification and resolution.

2.     Establish Corrective Action Team to develop and implement improvements.

3.     Use EHS/HR/Maintenance to evaluate improvements before implementation.

4.     Consider legal/insurance evaluation if needed.

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