SAFETY

Which face coverings are best for preventing jobsite coronavirus spread?

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

While any face covering will help contain the usual droplets that come from coughing, sneezing and even speaking, there are things to look for in a face covering to maximize jobsite safety from the coronavirus.

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science, using flow visualization testing in a laboratory equipped with laser light and a mannequin, recently published their findings as to which masks were the most effective.

High-quality face coverings are especially important for industries such as construction, where employees are often in close contact. Jim Goss, senior safety consultant at HCSS Construction Software, told Construction Dive that face coverings are a critical component of contractors’ COVID-19 safety plans and are imperative for situations when workers cannot maintain a distance of 6 feet or more.

The masks tested at Florida Atlantic were: • A single-layer bandana-style face covering. • A folded cotton handkerchief. • A homemade mask constructed of two-layers of 70-thread per inch cotton quilting fabric. • A non-sterile cone-style mask.

The researchers also conducted tests with no face covering.

Using a mixture of distilled water and glycerin to simulate a typical cough spray, researchers found that droplets traveled more up to 12 feet without a mask, well past the social distancing guideline of 6 feet.

With the single-layer bandana, droplets traveled 3 feet and 7 inches. When the tested mannequin was wearing a folded cotton handkerchief, the cough jet traveled 1 foot and 3 inches. The homemade mask made of stitched, quilted cotton allowed droplets to travel 2.5 inches, and the cough jet reached 8 inches when the mannequin was wearing a cone-style mask.

In the end, the researchers found the tighter the fit, the better the mask performance. Thicker material also fared well.

The research aligns with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding face coverings for the general public. In fact, the agency provides instructions for making a cloth mask on its website.

Face coverings are recommended and even required on construction sites across the country, and construction pros responding to a recent Construction Dive survey said they are an important means of protection from COVID-19. About two-thirds of respondents also said they are required on their jobsites, either by their firms or by local government protocols. "The face covering does not protect you, it protects others from you," noted AECOM Senior Construction Manager John Tull. "I have a family that I want to go home to and I don't want to worry about what I could be taking home."

N95 respirators N95 respirators

Last month, OSHA published a series of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the use of masks in the workplace. The new guidance outlines the differences between cloth face coverings, surgical masks and respirators.

Used for many construction-related activities even before the COVID-19 outbreak, N95 masks are facepiece respirators that filter at least 95% of airborne particles. OSHA has offered guidance for employers when workers are engaged in activities that require an N95 mask but shortages may prevent them from accessing the masks in the numbers needed.

The agency said that employers may use alternative classes of respirators that provide equal or greater protection compared to an N95 mask, such as NIOSHapproved, non-disposable, elastomeric respirators or powered, air-purifying respirators. Other alternative respirators are N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99 and P100 masks.

If an acceptable alternative is not available, employers can use masks that are past the manufacturer's extended shelf life, reuse N95 masks or use N95 masks for an extended period of time. Cloth masks, OSHA said, are not considered personal protective equipment (PPE) and cannot be used in place of respirators when respirators are required.

Other options Other options

A c c o r d i n g to the American Chemical Society, there are other options that come close to the efficacy of an N95 mask, such as double layers of 600 thread-per-inch cotton and a cotton and polyester-spandex hybrid.

Some contractors have also been providing face shields to their workers for added protection for the face and eyes. Steve Sorrentino, director of specialty films for Madico, a manufacturer of laminates and coatings, said that, unlike masks that cover only the mouth and nose, face shields cover eyes, nose and mouth providing a barrier to prevent the spread of infectious diseases or viruses. Madico is manufacturing the Safe-Gard face shield.

In addition, Sorrentino said, face shields eliminate the mask issues of fogging of eyeglasses and breathing one’s own carbon dioxide.

The CDC does not recommend face shields for use by the general public as a mask replacement unless they wrap around the sides of the wearer’s face and extend to below the chin.

Even when using an effective mask, there are additional recommended practices that will maintain their efficacy. Jay Woody, chief medical officer at Intuitive Health and co-founder of Legacy ER & Urgent Care, both in the Dallas area, offered the following tips to enhance masks' safety: • Use nonwashable masks only once. • Machine wash cloth masks after each use. • Wash hands before donning a mask, before removing it and after removing it. • When taking off a face mask, remove it from the back. If unwashed hands touch the inside of the mask and the face, this negates the purpose of wearing a mask. • D ispose of single-use masks properly.

SAFETY U.S. Department of Labor Announces Availability of $11.5 Million

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

In Worker Safety and Health Training Grants The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced the availability of $11.5 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants for nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based organizations, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, Indian tribes, and colleges and universities.

The Harwood Training Grant program supports inperson, hands-on training for workers and employers in small businesses; industries with high injury, illness, and fatality rates; and vulnerable workers, who are underserved, have limited English proficiency, or are temporary workers. The grants will fund training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards, including the coronavirus, through the following funding opportunities categories: • Targeted Topic Training grants support educational programs that address identifying and preventing workplace hazards. These grants require applicants to conduct training on OSHA-designated workplace safety and health hazards; • Training and Educational Materials Development grants support the development of quality classroomready training and educational materials that focus on identifying and preventing workplace hazards; and • Capacity Building grants support organizations in developing new capacity for conducting workplace safety and health training programs and must provide training and education based on identified needs of a specific audience or a set of related topics.

More information on the grants and how to apply are available at www.grants.gov. Harwood applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 20, 2020. Applicants must possess a “D-U-N-S” number and have an active System of Award Management (SAM) registration. A D-U-N-S number may be obtained freeof-charge from Dun & Bradstreet.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

MORE THAN BRICKS AND MORTAR

As one of the nation’s largest commercial builders, Turner is dedicated to providing avenues of opportunity for Minority- and Woman-Owned Businesses in Houston to achieve entrepreneurial success.

Our commitment to social responsibility and fair play is not just on paper; it is ingrained in our corporate culture. We are devoted to making sure the contributions that strengthen the local economy reflect the demographics of the community at large.

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Seven Steps to Correctly Wear a Respirator at Work Seven Steps to Correctly Wear a Respirator at Work Following these simple steps will help you properly put on and take off your respirator, and keep you and everyone else safe. Following these simple steps will help you properly put on and take off your respirator, and keep you and everyone else safe.

➊ Wash Your Hands ➊ Wash Your Hands ➋ ➋ Inspect the Respirator Inspect the Respirator

Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol. containing at least 60% alcohol.

➌ Put on the Respirator ➌ Put on the Respirator

Inspect the respirator for damage. If it appears damaged or damp, Inspect the respirator for damage. If it appears damaged or damp, do not use it. do not use it.

Cup the respirator in your hand with the nosepiece at your fingertips and the straps hanging below your hand. Cup the respirator in your hand with the nosepiece at your fingertips and the straps hanging below your hand.

Cover your mouth and nose with the respirator and make sure there are no gaps (e.g., facial hair, hair, and glasses) between your face and the respirator. Cover your mouth and nose with the respirator and make sure there are no gaps (e.g., facial hair, hair, and glasses) between your face and the respirator.

➍ Adjust the Respirator ➍ Adjust the Respirator

Place the strap over your head and rest at the top back of your head. If you have a second strap, place the bottom strap around your neck and below your ears. Do not crisscross straps. Place the strap over your head and rest at the top back of your head. If you have a second strap, place the bottom strap around your neck and below your ears. Do not crisscross straps.

If your respirator has a metal nose clip, use your fingertips from both hands to mold the nose area to the shape of your nose. If your respirator has a metal nose clip, use your fingertips from both hands to mold the nose area to the shape of your nose.

➎ ➎ Wear the Respirator Wear the Respirator

Place both hands over the respirator. Repeat until you get a proper seal. Place both hands over the respirator. Inhale quickly and then exhale. If you Repeat until you get a proper seal. If you can't get a proper seal, try Inhale quickly and then exhale. If you feel leakage from the nose, readjust the nosepiece; if leakage from the feel leakage from the nose, readjust the nosepiece; if leakage from the respirator edges, readjust the straps. If you can't get a proper seal, try another respirator. another respirator. respirator edges, readjust the straps. ➏ Remove the Respirator ➏ Remove the Respirator

Avoid touching the respirator while Avoid touching the respirator while using it. If you do, wash your hands. using it. If you do, wash your hands.

Note: If you reuse your Note: If you reuse your respirator, wear gloves when respirator, wear gloves when inspecting and putting on inspecting and putting on the respirator. Avoid touching the respirator. Avoid touching your face (including your your face (including your eyes, nose, and mouth) eyes, nose, and mouth) during the process. during the process.

➐ Dispose of the Respirator ➐ Dispose of the Respirator For more information, see the For more information, see the quick video, "Putting On and Taking Off a Mask".  quick video, "Putting On and Taking Off a Mask". 

Wash your hands.

Wash your hands.

Remove the respirator from behind.

Do not touch the front. Remove the respirator from behind. Do not touch the front.

If the respirator does not need to be reused because of supply shortages, discard it in a If the respirator does not need to be reused closed-bin waste receptacle. Wash your hands. because of supply shortages, discard it in a closed-bin waste receptacle. Wash your hands.

1-800-321-OSHA (6742)

www.osha.gov 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) TTY 1-877-889-5627 Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication TTY 1-877-889-5627 www.osha.gov

OSHA 4015-05 2020 OSHA 4015-05 2020