CSHEMA Café

This is the guidance at Arizona State University (currently): According to the  CDC , cloth face coverings may be made at home from common materials at low cost. The CDC  states  that cloth face coverings should include multiple layers of fabric. Single-layer ...

Hi Beth, At my smallish institution, we introduced the following policy document to establish a face-covering behavioral expectation.  We updated the codes of conduct for Faculty, Staff, and Students.  We defined a set of procurement criteria for the ...

I'm wondering why no one seems to be talking about facial hair yet. I'm seeing some big beards under masks and there's no way that's sealing Mike Burke EHS Program Manager, Industrial Hygiene The Pennsylvania State University ...

Hi, Just to provide another point of view, the purpose of the Duke study article was to show how easy it is to test masks, not which ones work better. I suggest others read this article and check on their local or state department of health guidance, ...

The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) have been extended for three more years until July 27, 2023.  https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/4148/text/pl?overview=closed ------------------------------ Maureen Kotlas ...

Howdy CSHEMA! It has been one month since our historic, first ever, virtual annual conference. I thought now would be a good time to let you all know what CSHEMA's volunteer leadership has been working on in this short period of time. Attached is the ...

This study just published has been making the rounds here...we are evaluating:  https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/08/07/sciadv.abd3083 https://hartfordhealthcare.org/about-us/news-press/news-detail?articleid=27691&publicId=395 ...

Disposal of an Autoclave: Thank you for everyone's help. I appreciate the suggestions on dealing with this rarely occurring situation. Jim

Dear Pete: Thank you, a swift and cost-effective method to assess the efficacy of masks for retaining droplets emitted during a speech. Based on the results, the neck fleece or bandanas offer very little protection from filtering expelled droplets ...

https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/08/07/sciadv.abd3083/tab-pdf Pete Peter A. Reinhardt (he/him/his) Director, Office of Environmental Health & Safety Yale University 135 College St., Suite 100 ...

Hi Francis, I like this slide set or book like approach very much. The brief text with the diagram has a nice visual appeal to it. And yes, I agree it does look like an architect did it with the visuals and page format. I had ...

We would look for asbestos (wire insulations, door gaskets, insulation, etc.) and mercury (thermometers or contamination). I don't know if we would sell it to the public regardless, but may let other PSU units buy it, assuming it was safe and functional. ...

Heather-- Would you be willing to share any information regarding how you decided to move forward in regards to visitors on campus?  We are working through this process ourselves.  Thanks. ------------------------------ Jackie Roquemore Environmental ...

UVA's was on the more serious side, and no appearance by "CavMan" (I was really hoping!), but was produced by various undergraduate students. As per a communication today, it sounds like students will be required to view as part of a 'Return to Grounds' ...

Good morning, I have a non-COVID related question for the group.  Have any of you been asked to develop a Worker Safety and Health Plan and associated training that complies with 10 CFR 851 for researchers that would like to work at a BEA/DOE facility/site?   ...

Dear Colleagues, As the Virginia Tech campus begins to open back up, EHS is preparing to offer both in-person and on-line training on fall protection in general industry (see following). We'll be offering in-person training in several locations across ...

I have not delved deeply into this document but at first glance it appears comprehensive with citations and illustrated as architects can.  Would love to hear comments and thoughts.  http://ltlarchitects.com/blog/2020/6/8/manual-of-physical-distancing ...

Hey Everyone! Our video posted a couple of weeks ago : https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=iUz7wsB2ibE&feature=emb_logo We also have a COVID-19 resources webpage with many links and information:  https://www.research.colostate.edu/covid-19-resources/ ...

If you're worried about asbestos, it is worth having your abatement contractor check it for you. A few years ago we had a (really) old one where I removed a mercury thermometer before it was scrapped. Jeff -- Jeff Lewin Director of ...

Hello Margaret,   I have attached the documents our campus plans to use for contact tracing for employees on campus. The other contacts will be contacted by our local health department. ------------------------------ Marissa Castillo Environmental Health ...

Mahalo for posting these FAQ documents! We are creating our own document and will pull from each of these resources as they really get to the heart of most inquires we've already been fielding.  Hope you all continue to be safe and well! Aloha! Hans  ...

Our UW-System put together a nice video for its member institutions (shout out to our UW-System Risk Management and Communications Offices). It incorporates wearing masks plus other COVID related safety precautions. Plenty of mascot appearances from around ...

Hello, I'm happy to announce that we have a new leader for the Performing Arts Safety Community of Practice - please welcome Randi Provost-Rizor ! Randi is  an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist and Training Coordinator for the University of ...

Awesome video! Sent from Mail for Windows 10

Hi everyone in CSHEMA-ville! (It sounds a bit Dr. Seuss-like ) Here's a great example of how to message students on mask wearing and expectations (and yes, it's from my former employer and alma mater ). I'm curious what other institutions ...

Howdy, everyone! We will have our monthly Laboratory Safety Practices COP call this Thursday, August 6th at 3:00 p.m. EST. Topics for discussion will include the following: What do you want to see the COP do this year?  Follow-up on the Annual ...

Greetings, As you all are likely doing the same, we are gearing up for school to start. As such, we are working to determine the best method to contact trace to assist the Department of Health as needed. As recreating the wheel is not really desired, ...

That's right, not disposal of autoclave waste, but surplussing and disposing or an old autoclave. Do we need to worry about Asbestos, This has not happened in at least the last 15 years at my institution, But it must happen on rare occasions in other ...

Frances,  Here's one article that discusses the issue of quaternary ammonium products with cellulose wipes.  https://www.cleanlink.com/sm/article/How-To-Properly-Use-Quaternary-Ammonium-Products--18851 The Re-Juv-Nal is an example of a quaternary ammonium ...

I am starting to track cubicle cases at our institution.  We have several areas with cubicle farms, some high walled with doors, some low and open.  We have a face mask policy that requires a face mask inside buildings unless alone in an enclosed room.  ...

12:30PM EST is the start time ------------------------------ Jesse Decker Director for Safety: College of Engineering University of Wisconsin Madison Madison WI 608-263-0267 ESP COP co-leader ------------------------------

Sounds great Jesse.   Hope all is well.    Time on Tuesday ?  Thanks ------------------------------ John Genuise Director of Environmental, Health and Safety Industrial Hygienist University of North Texas Denton TX ------------------------------

We have an Excel spreadsheet with password protection under EHS control, for the time being.  Would love to know what your IT folks recommend.  ------------------------------ Sharmila Pradhan Environmental Safety Manager Montgomery College Rockville ...

Hi Beth, We just released our Masking FAQ. It provides guidance on when and where masking is required, acceptable masks type (No exhalation valve), and approved exemptions. Check out further details https://louisville.edu/coronavirus/faq/faq-masks ------------------------------ ...

Hello CSHEMA Friends! I am going to meet with our smart IT folks on Monday but I was curious if anyone happens to be using a tool from Microsoft 365 to manage and track COVID-19 cases on campus. Would love to chat about it!  Be well. ------------------------------ ...

Good day fellow ESPeeps! Our next Zoom meeting is on Tuesday, August 4th. Join the meeting -  https://iu.zoom.us/j/99031951622 Please use password  459541  to enter Exciting topics of discussion might be: The first ever CSHEMA virtual ...

We are trying to manage this issue as well. The guidance documents are very useful. Thank you so much for posting! Lee ------------------------------ Lee Diamond Laboratory Safety Coordinator University of Vermont Burlington VT 802-656-5404 ------- ...

Was there supposed to be a link for the Face Mask Effectiveness research? I'd be interested in reading it. Thanks Mike Burke EHS Program Manager, Industrial Hygiene The Pennsylvania State University Department of Environmental ...

University of Virginia Facilities Management site https://www.fm.virginia.edu/docs/covid/HVAC_FAQs.pdf We will continue to update as information becomes available and conditions change. Currently looking more closely at the information we are providing ...

Hi all, This is my position here at UC Davis. When I applied for it, I searched "What is Davis known for?" and the most interesting search result was "Davis, CA is known for two things bikes and cows." J It's an innovative ...

Hi Jonathan Thanks for sharing the White Paper which is served to be an excellent resource! Best Scott

Hi Mark and Brandon, Both of these documents are excellent resources. Thanks you for sharing! Best Scott

Hi Beth, In the College of Engineering, we are not allowing valved masks at all. Some scarves and gaiters are going to be really good and more effective than some standard cloth masks, so as long as people are wearing them up over their nose correctly, ...

Hello- Attached is the draft HVAC FAQ guidance document prepared by the  SUNY Operations and Maintenance COVID19 Workgroup. This document is very good if I don't say so myself (I'm on the HVAC sub-taskgroup).  While this document is good, it is not ...

Hi Scott, We (University of Washington EH&S in collaboration with Facilities Engineering have developed a set of ventilation FAQs and are posted here:  https://www.ehs.washington.edu/system/files/resources/COVID-19-RTW-Ventilation-FAQs.pdf Hope this ...

Our committee will be looking into providing more details on which face masks provide suitable protection.  Here is some research on the topic. Face Mask Effectiveness Hope that helps. Michelle ------------------------------ Michelle Glover-Brown Director ...

We seek a colleague who identifies as a change-maker to creatively build, direct, and oversee a comprehensive, University-wide laboratory safety program as the University of Florida's Lab Safety Program Manager.  https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/514280/lab-safety-program-manager ...

Have any schools set limitations on acceptable face coverings? Are you permitting scarves? Gaiters? Or clearly stated against? Any schools forbidding face covers/masks with valves?  Or permitting with ADA permission? Interested to know how others are ...

Hi Scott, A set of FAQs sounds like a fine idea good luck! I have a feeling that many of us hope to see (and borrow?) a copy once it's done. J Here is a white paper that you might find helpful as you develop it. ...

All I've been tasked with developing a FAQ for helping the campus community understand how we are using the building ventilation systems to reduce virus transmission to the best extent possible. Anyone out there in CSHEMAland already gone through this ...