American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

Ventilation for Industrial Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Description:

This White Paper, developed by the Industrial Ventilation Committee of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®), originates from concern about the proper use of ventilation controls in industrial workplaces where SARS-CoV-2 (the Coronavirus responsible for COVID-19) is potentially present. This volunteer committee, with expertise in industrial ventilation, offers guidance on the topic of industrial ventilation to industrial/commercial facilities that are planning operational controls to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for employees returning to work around the world. These recommended practices are intended as guidance for Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety professionals and others including plant managers as they seek to mitigate exposures for their workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

Date: 03/12/21

Resource Categories

About the Virus (26) Guidance on Workplace Practices (129) Safety in Action (36) Training Resources (34) Employer Recommendations & Requirements (52) State & Local Requirements (96) Research Findings (40) Personal Protective Equipment (53) Mental Health Resources (9) Webinars, Podcasts & Social Media (37) Vaccines (26) Ventilation (16)

Planning Resources

Risks: Airborne & Touch Exposures - Job Site & Office/Trailer (21) Control: Adjust work/meeting areas to maintain minimum 6ft between workers (8) Control: Place physical barriers between workers (3) Control: Designate separate points for entering & leaving job site (5) Control: Designate areas for pick up & deliveries (2) Control: Require handwashing before & after entering area (7) Control: Keep individuals in a crew together (3) Control: Limit crew size (4) Control: Limit in-person meetings (2) Control: Limit number of attendees at in-person meetings (3) Control: Limit sharing of tools, vehicles, & equipment (4) Control: Clean and disinfect shared tools, equipment, & vehicles after use (4) Control: Limit the number of individuals in lifts & elevators (2) Control: Limit visitors (2) Control: Place handwashing stations & sanitizers in accessible locations (8) Control: Prohibit sharing of tools & equipment (3) Control: Use respirators (such as N95s) as part of a respiratory protection program (8) Control: Provide products to clean and disinfect tools, equipment & high touch surfaces (7) Control: Require delivery personnel to remain in their vehicles (if possible) (2) Control: Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces frequently (8) Control: Stage materials to minimize manual material handling (2) Control: Stagger shifts to limit number of workers on site (3) Control: Mark walking areas with directional arrows (5) Control: Use signs/posters/markers to maintain a 6 ft distance between workers (5) Control: Use signs to limit number of people in an area (2) Control: Limit staff involved in moving materials (3) Control: Provide lifting equipment to limit manual handling (3) Control: Use face coverings (11) Control: Use face shields (3) Control: Use gloves (4) Control: Limit sharing of office equipment and supplies (4) Control: Clean and disinfect shared office equipment (4) Control: Prohibit sharing of office equipment (2) Control: Increase ventilation (16) Control: Restock soap/water, towels, & hand sanitizer frequently (3) Screening Resources (15) Training Resources (18) Complete Your Plan Resources (4) Control: Employee Vaccination (8)

The content of materials developed by third parties is solely the responsibility of the authors and neither is endorsed by nor represents the official views of CPWR or NIOSH. See Terms and Use.