Eye Protection for Infection Control

US CDC/NIOSH Recommendations

The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has provided the following information concerning the use of goggles, face shields, safety glasses, and full face respirators for infection control purposes in their publication Eye Protection for Infection Control.

CDC/NIOSH recommends eye protection for a variety of potential occupational exposure settings where workers may be at risk of acquiring infectious diseases via ocular (eye) exposure. Eye protection is intended to provide a barrier to infectious materials entering the eye and is often used in conjunction with other personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, and respirators.

Eye Protection

The portfolio of 3M™ Eye Protection products promises quality eyewear that provides an optimal balance of comfort, protection and design. 3M™’s Engineers have worked hard to ensure that the level of comfort and style matches the standard of protection offered. The 3M™ portfolio offers the highest level of optical class. A broad range of eyewear products include durable anti-scratch and convenient anti-fog coatings.

About the range

Eye Protection products are used in many industries to protect against fl ying particles, liquids, chemicals, molten metals, radiated head and glare. The 3M™ range of safety spectacles and goggles off er the user protection from eye hazards including medium impact flying fragments. Our 3M™ safety spectacles and goggles can be used in conjunction with other Personal Protective Equipment products to give you added protection in diff erent situations. The 3M™ eye protection portfolio off ers an unrivalled range of products for companies looking for comfortable and high-quality solutions to meet a variety of industrial applications.

Differential Permeation. Applied to returning you home safely.

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At 3M we have a select and high quality range of Coveralls, which provide protection against many hazards. The 3M range of Protective Apparel offers a variety of features, from the use of fabrics with specialist treatments for enhanced wear and added protection, to breathable back panels for increased comfort. Our experts can work closely with you, to help you identify hazards and best protect your workers against them.

Gold Coast coronavirus case is a beautician recently returned from Iran

A 63-year-old woman has been put into isolation on the Gold Coast after testing positive to coronavirus.

On Saturday it was revealed the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Australia has increased by two to 25, including the Queensland woman.

The beautician saw up to 40 people at a Southport salon on Thursday before she started to develop symptoms and went home.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has moved Australia into pandemic mode, as the coronavirus spreads to 42 countries across the world.

“We’re effectively operating now on the basis that there is one, a pandemic,” Morrison said, declaring the government was now activating its emergency plan.

Watch the video here

Using proper cleaning and storage practices ensures that respirators remain effective and uncontaminated.

Common mistakes that limit the effectiveness of respirators.

1. Upon returning from the field on a hot and humid day, a worker haphazardly removes the personal protective clothing. The worker pulls off the respirator and hangs it on a nail in the barn, next to a pesticide container.
2. Rather than taking the time to put the respirator away, a worker tosses it on the dashboard of the truck. The truck is parked in a very sunny spot.
3. A respirator is in an enclosed cab. The cartridge is inside the sleeve of a plastic glove. The respirator has been there for two months.

Respirators should be stored away from dust, sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture and damaging chemicals. Respirators, a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE), must be stored away from personal clothing and pesticide-contaminated areas.

People often ask how long a respirator cartridge lasts. The answer is significantly less if they are not properly cared for. I'll admit in the past I have not been kind to my respirator cartridges. I haven't treated them well. I've finished my work and shoved them in the shed with the other painting supplies, or worse left them on the work bench in an the area I just finished painting. As a result, they haven't lasted very long. It's a waste of money, it adds plastic trash to the landfill, and it's just plain irresponsible. I'm sorry.

Men's beards could render face masks useless, health authorities warn - one surprisingly comprehensive graphic reveals why 'walrus' is fine but 'mutton chops' won't do

• Sales of medical face masks are spiking around the world amid an outbreak of a new type of coronavirus, although experts say they’re not the most effective form of protection.
• A graphic from the CDC helps explains which facial hairstyle allows the masks to be more effective – and it’s very thorough.

Understanding the different types of particulate filters and gas and vapour cartridges will help you select the right one.

As per AS/NZS 1715 there are 3 different classes of particulate filters, P1, P2 and P3.

The negative pressure particulate categories are based facepiece coverage. All particulate filtering facepieces that cover the nose and mouth area only can achieve only a P1 or P2 classification. A P3 classification can ONLY be achieved when worn with a full facepiece.

• Class P1 particulate filters are used against mechanically generated particulates e.g. silica and wood dust.
• Class P2 particulate filters are used for protection against mechanically and thermally generated particulates or both e.g. metal fumes.
• Class P3 particulate filters are used for protection against highly toxic or highly irritant particulates e.g. beryllium (when worn with a full facepiece).
• NOTE: certain contaminants may have specific respiratory selection criteria outside this guide e.g. asbestos.
• Gas and vapour cartridges categories are distinguished by their filter type and class. Refer to AS/NZS 1715 for the complete list of filter types and what they are used for. Some commonly used filter types are:
• Filter type A = Certain organic vapours (boiling point above 65⁰C) from solvents such as those in paints and thinners (cartridge label colour = brown)
• Filter type B = Acid gases such as chlorine, hydrogen sulfide (sulphide) and sulfur dioxide (cartridge label colour = grey)
• Filter type E = Vapours from sulfur dioxide (cartridge colour = yellow)
• Filter type ABE = are suitable for both certain organic vapours/acid gases and sulfur dioxide e.g. solvents, chlorine and sulfur dioxide (cartridge label colour = brown, grey and yellow)
• Filter type K = ammonia gas (cartridge label colour = green)
• Filter type ABEK = are suitable for both certain organic vapours/acid gases, sulfur dioxide and ammonia (cartridge label colour = brown, grey, yellow and green)

What You Should Know in Deciding Whether to Buy Escape Hoods, Gas Masks, or Other Respirators for Preparedness at Home and Work

Respiratory protection is effective only if:

• the correct respirator is used,
• it’s available when you need it,
• you know when and how to put it on and take it off, and
• you have stored it and kept it in working order in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions