Page 50 - OHS, July/August 2020

PPE: HEAD PROTECTION
Very
High Primarily healthcare and EMS workers on the frontlines.
High
Medium
Low
Respirators and medical masks should be prioritized for these workers.
Most American workers fit in the low to medium exposure risk level.
Figure 1. Classifying the Risk of Worker Exposure: OSHA Occupational Risk Pyramid for COVID-19
healthcare workers on the frontlines who fall into those very high and high risk of exposure categories.
Medical masks—the next category—includes surgical masks, procedure masks and patient care masks. These masks are designed to protect the wearer from bodily fluids and other large droplets while also preventing the spread of respiratory droplets from the wearer to others.6
These masks are looser fitting, so leakage occurs around the edge of the mask. Thus, medical masks do not provide the wearer reliable protection from inhaling those smaller airborne particles and are not considered respiratory protection.7
Finally, we have social distancing face coverings. This category includes any cloth, reusable, non-medical face covering meant to be worn by the general public or others in OSHA’s low to medium risk exposure categories to provide a barrier between the wearer and other people in case the wearer is infected. As of the writing of this article, there are no industry standards in North America specifying performance requirements for these masks. However, other countries have begun to develop standards for these face cov- erings, and it is likely only a matter of time before North America follows suit.
The French Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) standard S76-001 (developed in March 2020) and the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) K599 standard (developed in May 2020)8 were both crafted in response to the COVID-19 spread and the need for this “social distancing” category of masks.9 Similar to the U.S. CDC guidance, both standards specifically warn that these masks are not considered medical devices or PPE, and do not ex- onerate the wearer from primary prevention measures such as so- cial distancing and frequent hand washing. These standards define various requirements with regard to breathability, filtration and design. They also include guidelines on proper use, washing and drying and recommended materials.
What to Look for in a Face Covering
Building on the CDC guidance, we have compiled some consider- ations when selecting face coverings. Ultimately, it is the employer’s
responsibility to evaluate the risk of exposure to the virus as well as the hazards present in the work environment in order to protect employees effectively.
Breathability. Can you breathe through the material with little restriction?
Filtration efficiency. There are different levels of performance when it comes to filtering out particulates, viruses or bacteria. Does your application require an N95 respirator, or are you trying to comply with the CDC’s recommendation for cloth masks?
Design/Comfort. Both play a big role in whether or not your employees will wear the coverings properly. Consider if ties or elas- tic work best, the shape and fit of the covering on the face, adjust- ability or sizing. When it comes to comfort, how soft and light- weight is the material? How quickly does it wick away or absorb moisture from breathing or sweating?
Potential inhalation hazards. Are there any potential hazards from the mask material?
Length of intended use. Is the intent for the worker to wear the face covering for a full shift or only when performing a certain task and/or in close contact with others?
Ability to decontaminate. Is the face covering reusable? If so, how can it be decontaminated appropriately and how often? How durable is it to multiple launderings?
Work environment. What specific hazards are present? Is it possible to protect against all hazards present, or do you need to prioritize which hazards have higher risk?
Selecting Face Coverings for a Flash Fire Hazard Area
One popular question is how to properly select face coverings for work areas that require flame-resistant (FR) garments.
Although many people can use cotton masks or disposable medical masks when social distancing cannot be achieved, some essential industrial workers require face coverings that can with- stand flash fire hazards. Most medical masks are made of materials like polypropylene, which could melt, drip and continue to burn in a flash fire or other thermal exposure, increasing the potential burn injury to the wearer. OSHA 1910.269(l)(8)(iii) specifically prohibits
44 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY/AUGUST 2020
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