Hello DCHAS community

 

This has been a very informative week about SDSs, and it has reinforced an observation I have had since starting in this field; EHS members are extremely passionate about their work. I believe you must be, to do a good job and keep people safe.

 

This passion that has been seen throughout the tread this week, has reminded me about a talk I wanted to put together for researchers.  Ever since the pandemic started, I have seen this as an opportunity to use a real-world example for the hierarchy of controls and risk assessment comparison.  During the beginning of the pandemic, where there was so much unknown about the virus and how it spread; I saw parallels with the high risk in lab work. Once we fully open, I plan to use Covid as an example on how researchers should approach risk assessment for experiments.. 

 

I came across an interesting article https://safetyrisk.net/covid-19-and-the-hierarchy-of-control/ that I am definitely going to adopt into my talks, but I am not convinced on the Engineering Controls portion. In my option it is a stretch to call taking your temperature and washing your hands an Engineering control. Examples I have used in the past are fume hoods and machine guarding. I corresponded with Ralph and he came up with building ventilation. http://kscehs.kscopen.org/ventilation-research/ksc-classroom-building-ventilation-roster/. 

 

Does anyone else have another example for an Engineering controls for Covid?

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

Jeffrey R. Cogswell, Ph.D.

Chemical Inventory and Laboratory Resource Center Technician, EHS

37 Dewey Field Road, HB 6216

Hanover, NH 03755

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ehs/