973-597-0750 [email protected]

Indoor Environment Plays Role in Virus Transmission

Recently, the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration (ACHR) News published an article titled, “Indoor Environment Plays Role in Virus Transmission” where they cite researchers from two universities reporting that high temperature and humidity levels may reduce the transmission of COVID-19.  To read the full article go to ACHRNews.

AIHA: Recovering from Building COVID Closures

AIHA has provided a guidance document for when buildings reopen from COVID-19 closures. If a building was not properly cleaned for COVID-19 or maintained during the shutdown, opening the building can pose a health hazard to their occupants. These health hazards can be:

  • Mold growth can occur if temperature and humidity levels are not maintained.
  • Legionella is a concern if water systems in buildings are idle.
  • Ensuring COVID-19 is not present prior to reoccupancy by cleaning and disinfecting interior occupied spaces, furnishings, and mechanical per the CDC guidelines.

PHASE Associates can help with the above. We are an AIHA listed consultant with Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) that have the expertise to review the following:

  • Toxicity and efficacy of disinfectant chemicals
  • Identify safe remediation practices
  • Assess the risk of COVID-19
  • Develop management plans to control other building-related hazards such as Legionella and mold.

Please contact Gary Schwartz at [email protected] to find out how we can help you manage building maintenance during the COVID-19 shutdown and how we can help to reopen buildings.

Skin Sensitization

For more information on sensitizers, contact Gary Schwartz at (973) 597-0750.

A recent article in AIHA’s November 2019 Synergist highlighted the topic of skin sensitization. Skin sensitizers are a common hazard encountered in many industries including pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, and food and beverage. Common sensitizers include formaldehyde and various fragrances. Reactions differ amongst exposed individuals due to intensity and duration of exposure, as well as chemical properties and individual sensitivities. Oftentimes, sensitizers do not elicit a reaction upon first exposure. Because of this variability and lack of data, only qualitative assessments can be performed as there is currently no method to quantify workplace exposure to skin sensitization. PHASE Associates has extensive experience in exposure assessment services including recent evaluations of sensitizers during sterilization and foam filling processes. 

National Emphasis Program

For more information on training to properly safeguard machinery or equipment, contact Gary Schwartz at (973) 597-0750.

OSHA published an update to the 2015 National Emphasis Program (NEP) on employee injuries in manufacturing industries. The NEP targets industrial and manufacturing workplaces where amputations are caused by  improperly guarded machinery and equipment. The changes to the NEP include revisions to target method and coding requirements, and new appendices for reporting amputation data from inspections. The program will run until March 10, 2020. OSHA reminds employers that under OSHA Act of 1970 employers are responsible for providing their employees a workplace free of injuries or illnesses.