Safety Consulting & Training
On-Site and/or On-Line

I received this from an Industrial Hygienist friend, Gary Ticker. He points out that if your mask has an exhalation valve, the valve will allow much of your mists to escape into the air, potentially exposing others to COVID-19.

Note: N95 masks are recommended if you are caring for a relative who is ill or someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Most of us will be wearing cloth masks, medical masks, or un-rated dust masks through this era.

OccuSafe Newsletter: Are N-95 Facemasks the Best Choice?

N-95 air purifying facemasks are now widely used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. They provide better protection than surgical and homemade masks since they (more…)

Some print companies are considered critical/ essential in terms of current mandated pandemic controls in Dallas. Examples would be companies where most of the product is packaging for pharma or foods.

While there are memos from the US Postal Service declaring print essential to their business…  In Dallas this memo may not be accepted as proof a print company is essential/critical in cases where a company only prints marketing materials or retail POP. In this case, the company can open now but must follow guidelines for non-essential businesses that were just issued for Dallas County.  I’ve highlighted the key requirements currently in effect below for three types of businesses: Essential, Non-Essential, and Construction.

Note that on Monday, April 27, Governor  Abbott will be outlining state level guidelines for re-openings. (more…)

Printing companies and other essential manufacturing companies are on the front-lines of fighting this invisible enemy. This (somewhat lengthy) document contains ideas and a framework for planning workplace controls to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 at work.

Basic Controls for Everyone Everywhere during this Pandemic:

• If you have a fever, cough, or breathing issues – There is a possibility you may have COVID-19. Stay home, contact a doctor for advice. If a test for COVID-19 is appropriate, the doctor will advise you on options.
(more…)

This is an interesting graphic that helps me better understand the typical time progression of coronavirus cases, and the periods where a person is most likely to be infecting others. Note that the contagion rate goes down a day after symptoms occur, not because the person is less contagous, but because they are likely to stay at home (often passing it on to family members only). 

The attached file contains visuals that summarize what's happening with Coronavirus as of 3/15/2020.COVID19 Stats2020.03.15

These are historic times. Our pro-active actions / or lack of appropriate actions is likely to determine whether 80,000 or 300,000 people in the US die from COVID-19.  Modeling estimates predict we could keep cases down to 100,000 with good controls and actions, or cases could exceed 800,000 if controls are not implemented or effective.

This will affect all companies in some way. For instance, school spring break extensions may cause some employees to miss work to care for children. Companies need to make plans and communicate expectations with employees on the Coronavirus topic. (more…)

It’s time to complete your OSHA 300A Summary form of work-related injuries and illnesses for 2019. You will need your OSHA 300 log from 2019, the average number of employees during 2019, the business SIC or NAICS code, and the cumulative number of manhours worked by employees during 2019. The form needs to be signed by the owner or highest ranking company official working at the site.

Who needs to do this? If your company had 10 or more employees some time during the past year (and is not part of the government), you need to do this. (more…)

When a worker needs a respirator with a charcoal-type filter (for a gas) a significant amount of time per day to protect from a significant air contaminate hazard, traditional practice is to use a fitted respirator. Many companies are not yet aware that the new Powered Air Purifying Respirators (abbreviated PAPR) are often a better choice...(than a fitted respirator) for the both company and the worker.

A PAPR system is 5 times more effective in purifying the air the worker breathes, the system is more comfortable (with cool air flow), and the OSHA requirement for annual fit testing and facial hair shaving for fitted respirators does not apply for a PAPR system. (more…)