How Construction Companies Can Help During COVID-19 Pandemic

Iowans are incredible people. In the face of this unprecedented threat, some have begun to ask, “How can we help?” One way you can help, as outlined by Vice President Mike Pence, is to donate any surplus N95 industrial facemasks to your local healthcare facility or provider. The Administration has also requested that for a limited time, construction companies hold off on ordering any more.

Special Safety Tip from CSSI

Master Builders of Iowa’s preferred safety provider — Construction Safety Specialists, Inc. (CSSI) — notes that there is a shortage on the N95 dual strap dust masks that are recommended for housekeeping and silica construction activities. CSSI encourages the contractor to develop “engineering methods” first (wet cut, vacuum, etc.) to handle respiratory protection and use an “administration method” (PPE) as a last measure. Contractors should reach out to their suppliers to coordinate equipment/machinery that can capture dust/silica to encapsulate.

When disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators are not available, consider using other respirators that provide greater protection and improve worker comfort. Other types of acceptable respirators include: a R/P95, N/R/P99, or N/R/P100 filtering facepiece respirator; an air-purifying elastomeric (e.g., half-face or full-face) respirator with appropriate filters or cartridges; powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) with high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter; or supplied air respirator (SAR).

Should you have additional questions related to guidance on respiratory protection, please contact a CSSI safety professional at info@iowaCSSI.com.

You can count on The Partnership to continue to share accurate and fact-based updates as well. See more on COVID-19 here.

Find these tips useful? Find more business tools and information by visiting the Business Resources page.

This blog originally appeared in a March 17 blog post on mbiblog.com.