DCHAS-L Archives, May 27 2021 - Re: [DCHAS-L] Engineering controls for Covid?

I cannot believe that I forgot physical barriers. That one is from the John Hopkins article, thanks Andy. It is such a great example. I do not have to do any work to protect myself (or the hard-working cashier) at the grocery store because of the Plexiglas between us. It is interesting that they put “working from home” as an administrative control. I would consider that as substitution, but it could depend on the question being asked. Question: “How do you substitute the Covid virus?” Answer: you cannot. If the question is “how do you minimize the risk of getting Covid at a work setting?”, the answer is work from home.

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Glode, Andy
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 11:00 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Engineering controls for Covid?

I agree that hand washing is not an engineering control, it’s administrative. Researchers at Johns Hopkins proposed a version of the hierarchy of controls for COVID that I’ve been referencing in trainings throughout the pandemic, maybe you’ll also find it helpful: https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-education-and-research-center-for-occupational-safety-and-health/can-a-mask-protect-me-putting-homemade-masks-in-the-hierarchy-of-controls

Thanks,

Andy

Andy Glode

Interim Director

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

University of New Hampshire

https://www.unh.edu/research/environmental-health-and-safety

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Jeffrey R. Cogswell
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 9:38 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Engineering controls for Covid?

Caution - External Email

Hello DCHAS community

This has been a very informative week about SDSs, and it has reinforced an observation I have had since starting in this field; EHS members are extremely passionate about their work. I believe you must be, to do a good job and keep people safe.

This passion that has been seen throughout the tread this week, has reminded me about a talk I wanted to put together for researchers. Ever since the pandemic started, I have seen this as an opportunity to use a real-world example for the hierarchy of controls and risk assessment comparison. During the beginning of the pandemic, where there was so much unknown about the virus and how it spread; I saw parallels with the high risk in lab work. Once we fully open, I plan to use Covid as an example on how researchers should approach risk assessment for experiments..

I came across an interesting article https://safetyrisk.net/covid-19-and-the-hierarchy-of-control/ that I am definitely going to adopt into my talks, but I am not convinced on the Engineering Controls portion. In my option it is a stretch to call taking your temperature and washing your hands an Engineering control. Examples I have used in the past are fume hoods and machine guarding. I corresponded with Ralph and he came up with building ventilation. http://kscehs.kscopen.org/ventilation-research/ksc-classroom-building-ventilation-roster/.

Does anyone else have another example for an Engineering controls for Covid?

Thanks in advance.

Jeffrey R. Cogswell, Ph.D.

Chemical Inventory and Laboratory Resource Center Technician, EHS

37 Dewey Field Road, HB 6216

Hanover, NH 03755

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ehs/

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