Every day, Clark Seif Clark professionals are deployed across the nation helping both large and small customers resolve health & safety, industrial hygiene, environmental and indoor air quality issues.
At a moment's notice, Clark Seif Clark can send their experts anywhere they are needed. No matter if it's in response to a hurricane, wildfire, flood, tornado or other natural disaster, Clark Seif Clark is ready to help and can respond in no time at all.
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OSHA Provides COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses and Institutions with Employees Using Cloth Face Coverings |
As many businesses and institutions remain open, even with the spike in COVID-19 numbers, employers have had to implement a number of safeguards to protect their workers and the customers they serve.
One of the most visible changes in almost all parts of the country has been the use of face coverings in the workplace.
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Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
800.807.1118
SERVICES:
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For those utilizing cloth face coverings, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released guidance on their use when working indoors, especially in hot and humid conditions. According to the agency, employers should observe the following practices to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and the risk of heat-related illness:
- Acclimatize new and returning workers to environmental and work conditions while wearing cloth face coverings.
- Prioritize the use of cloth face coverings when workers are in close contact with others (less than 6 feet), such as during group travel or shift meetings.
- Allow workers to remove cloth face coverings when they can safely maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from others.
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Evaluate the feasibility of wearing cloth face coverings for each worker and consider alternatives (e.g., face shields) when appropriate.
- Increase the frequency of hydration and rest breaks in cooled environments.
- Incorporate at least 6 feet of physical distancing into break areas by staggering breaks, spacing workers, or limiting the number of workers on break at a time, where feasible.
- Enhance ventilation throughout the worksite, including in break areas, where feasible.
- Allow workers to return to personal vehicles during breaks to use air conditioning, when possible. Multiple workers should generally not return to the same car.
- If fans are used, avoid directing the fan so it pushes air over multiple people at the same time, since fans may increase the distance respiratory droplets can travel.
- Encourage workers to use cloth face coverings that optimize fit and comfort and are made out of breathable, moisture-wicking materials.
- Encourage workers to change cloth face coverings when wet, as wet face coverings make it more difficult to breathe and are not as effective. Provide clean replacement cloth face coverings or disposable face masks, as needed, for workers to change into throughout the work shift.
- Ensure workers use handwashing facilities or hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol often, as heat or moisture build-up may cause workers to put on and take off cloth face coverings frequently.
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Allow workers to wear personal passive cooling items (e.g., icepack vests, cooling bandanas) and loose-fitting and breathable clothes, as long as these items do not present a safety hazard.
- Plan for heat emergencies and train workers on heat stress prevention and treatment.
- Increase the frequency of communication to workers and encourage workers to monitor themselves and others for signs of heat illness.
“Keeping businesses and institutions open during this pandemic depends on a number of factors, including the use of face coverings in many circumstances, hand washing and social distancing when possible,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Other key steps employers should take include assessing ventilation and indoor air quality conditions, third party confirmation and testing of surface cleaning and disinfection protocols, employee education and training, and creating contingency plans in case employees get sick or come in contact with an infected individual. At Clark Seif Clark, our infection control, industrial hygiene and indoor environmental quality experts proudly offer these and other services to support our clients during these challenging times.”
CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about OSHA’s COVID-19 Guidance on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings while Working Indoors in Hot and Humid Conditions that can be seen below:
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To learn more about this or other building science, infection control, industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please:
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New California Law Bans PFAS Chemicals in Most Firefighting Foams
Earlier this fall, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB-1044. The new law covers firefighting equipment and foams that contain the man-made chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
As of January 1, 2022, except in very specific applications, manufacturers of class B firefighting foams shall not manufacture, or knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in California, and no person shall use in California, class B firefighting foams containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. Firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) that intentionally contains PFAS chemicals will also have to be disclosed in a written notice that includes why the chemicals were added to the equipment.
In addition to firefighting foams, which have been a major source of groundwater contamination at airports, military bases and other locations where firefighting training occurs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that PFAS can be found in:
- Food packaged in PFAS-containing materials, processed with equipment that used PFAS or grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water.
- Commercial household products, including stain- and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products, polishes, waxes, paints and cleaning products.
- Workplaces, including production facilities or industries (e.g., chrome plating, electronics manufacturing or oil recovery) that use PFAS.
- Drinking water, typically localized and associated with a specific facility (e.g., manufacturer, landfill, wastewater treatment plant, firefighter training facility).
- Living organisms, including fish, animals and humans.
“Many PFAS chemicals are exceptionally persistent in the environment and also in the human body if one has been exposed,” said Jeff Bannon, Vice President of Environmental Services at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects so this upcoming ban is an important step in reducing the impact of PFAS in the environment and will likely be duplicated in other states in the near future.”
To help identify and mitigate PFAS exposure risks, the environmental and industrial hygiene professionals at CSC offer consulting, testing and monitoring services for these and many other chemical contaminants. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about PFAS that can be seen below:
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To learn more about PFAS or other environmental, occupational, health and safety testing services, please visit www.csceng.com, email [email protected] or call (800) 807-1118. |
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About Clark Seif Clark: CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both the public and private sectors address environmental issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals. |
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21732 Devonshire St., Ste. B,
Chatsworth, CA 91311
800.807.1118
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