Thread by @Orla_Hegarty

[Thread] Workplaces & #Covid19

😷 Many people WFH are concerned about risks in offices, schools, colleges & other buildings

🏢Workplace safety is regulated in EU (& other places). Virus is a biological agent & that requires precautions @EU_OSHA 1/
osha.europa.eu/en/themes/covi…

‘identification & assessment of risks is starting point for managing occupational safety & health.. Employers are obliged to revise risk assessment when there is change, to consider all risks, including affecting mental health..& to make an action plan’ 2/ oshwiki.eu/wiki/COVID-19:…

In Ireland, workplace safety is the responsibility of the Health & Safety Authority @TheHSA hsa.ie/eng/

#Covid19 resources here: hsa.ie/eng/topics/cov… 3/

Work Safety Protocol was updated in May 2021 (from November 2020), so previous arrangements need to be revisited 4/ hsa.ie/eng/topics/cov…

*the remainder of this thread is about precautions for aerosol transmission

#Covid19 is predominately inhaled in infected air.. it is rarely caught from surfaces & normal cleaning is adequate (CDC) 5/
cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…

Precautions for #aerosol transmission are 😷 masks & 🪟 clean air

Masks & clean air can reduce virus risk up to 90%..so these are TOP priority 💯

HSA on Ventilation: hsa.ie/eng/topics/cov…

NPHET Expert Group on Ventilation: gov.ie/en/publication… 6/

*the remainder of this thread is my advice & watch-points

😷 Masks ~everywhere at all times~ in buildings & shared vehicles, rooms, offices, lifts, toilets, corridors, stores,

#Delta is highly transmissible, people have been infected in poorly ventilated unoccupied rooms 7/

😷 Masks ~everywhere at all times~
Consider arrangements for eating/drinking (outside, in separate rooms, in cars)..to reduce risk of break-room outbreaks.. if no space/no time, consider no talking while masks are off for eating (yes it makes a difference to virus spread) 8/

😷 Masks ~everywhere at all times~

⚠️ 2 metre distance is NOT a protection in shared indoor air

⚠️ Perspex screens are NOT a protection

⚠️Cubicle partitions are NOT a protection

😷 Poorly fitting masks are NOT a protection

💉Vaccines are sun-block, not a bullet proof vest 9/

Good mask makes a big difference

😷 comfort -so you keep it on

😷 filtration -so fabric blocks aerosols

😷 fit -so no gaps

N95/FFP/KN95 mask is better than surgical mask, cloth mask over surgical mask also effective

Employers are responsible for PPE

Clean Air can be achieved with ventilation (diluting with fresh air) or filtration (cleaning air) or both

A CO2 monitor shows if ventilation is inadequate, recommended <800ppm

At 800ppm about 1% of every breath is air breathed out by someone else.. over 800ppm risk rises /11

🪟Naturally ventilated (windows/doors/wall vents) -keep air moving with cross-ventilation. Calm days & cold days are higher risk

🪜Mechanically ventilated- get an engineering check on operation of system/settings/filters

Consider plug-in HEPA filtration (many brands available)

HEPA is recommended & it’s cheap, avoid ‘air purifiers’ using:

⚠️ Ionisers

⚠️Ozone systems

⚠️Plasma systems

These systems may be ineffective & may be unsafe

🔷UVG (ultra violet germicidal irradiation) has some specialist applications so get independent specialist advice

FAQs here: docs.google.com/document/d/1fB…

HEPA comparison by price/noise/effectiveness (USA market) here:

Future-proofing

♻️Clean air protects from every new variant, respiratory virus incl flu, & pollution, pollen & odours

♻️People who work in clean air perform better & are ill less

♻️Better ventilation is part of building energy upgrades for climate change..so bring it forward?

Finally, distancing is NOT a protection when people share indoor air. Infected air can spread to fill a room, it can be trapped & linger for hours after someone has left

2 minute video showing how virus can spread indoors. Stay safe /END
HT @HoltArch

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