Rajesh K. Bhagat, M. S. Davies Wykes, Stuart B. Dalziel, and P. F. Linden

Effects of ventilation on the indoor spread of COVID-19

Description:

Although the relative importance of airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is controversial, increasing evidence suggests that understanding airflows is important for estimation of the risk of contracting COVID-19. The data available so far indicate that indoor transmission of the virus far outstrips outdoor transmission, possibly due to longer exposure times and the decreased turbulence levels (and therefore dispersion) found indoors. In this paper we discuss the role of building ventilation on the possible pathways of airborne particles and examine the fluid mechanics of the processes involved.

Source: Rajesh K. Bhagat, M. S. Davies Wykes, Stuart B. Dalziel, and P. F. Linden

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)

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