There's a safety podcast with an interesting connection to last week's discussion about masks in the laboratory at
Ep.45 Why do we need complex models to explain simple work?
https://safetyofwork.com/episodes/ep45-why-do-we-need-complex-models-to-explain-simple-work

In the course of a broader discussion about how "work as done" is documented for risk analysis purposes, the hosts discuss experiences in oil rigs with operators who notice odd smells (as well as noise and vibrations) in detecting process variations. The point the hosts highlight is that this part of the rig's operations is extremely unlikely to be documented as part of a SOP or risk assessment, because it is specific to the expertise and experience of the operators.

Their comments provide another example where the one size fits all approach of requiring infection control masks to improve social distancing could be problematic in situations with hazardous chemical processes going on.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

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