Frequently Asked Questions

Chemical cartridges may also be considered as alternatives to N95 masks. Chemical cartridges are rated to protect against specific chemicals: organic vapors, ammonia, etc. There are also dual cartridges white function as both a chemical filter and a particulate filter. Any cartridges considered as protection against COVID-19 in addition to other uses must be able to filter dust. For some cartridges, you can add on a particulate filter as an attachment.

N95s may be currently in use in several industries filtering dust and including (but not limited to):

  • Poultry processing
  • Baked goods manufacturing or other manufacturing where dry powder
    are mixed such as rice milling, flour milling, and sugar refining
  • Animal feed manufacturing working with grain dust
  • Welding or manufacturing which cuts/grinds metals involving welding fumes and/or metal particulates
  • Woodcutting processes: cutting, sanding and grinding wood to protect from wood dust
  • Concrete industries such as ceramics and installation teams to protect from silica dust
  • Breweries working with milling grains
  • Any industry working with nuisance dusts from dry sweeping or cleaning

You need to factor in the concentration strength of the bleach solution. They will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. For specific guidance, see:

In workplaces where there is a high degree of contact with the nature of work being in small spaces, those safety plans will continue for some time. Workplaces where we may see some relaxing of that would be outdoor spaces, recreational context. Workplaces that have been in a higher risk, even with vaccine coverage and hopefully diminished transmission at some time in the future, will still be important to keep the safety protocols in place; masking indoors, barriers in smaller spaces, all those aspects will be important. Covid will still be circulating in the population for some time, so the safety measures will not be scaled back anytime soon.
Teresa (WorkSafeBC): Undue hardship refers to a point at which accommodating a worker becomes too difficult, unsafe, or costly for the employer. WorkSafeBC determines if the situation meets the undue hardship criteria on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances of each situation. Employers are obligated to identify and offer work that is safe, productive, and consistent with the worker’s functional abilities and skills and, if possible, restores the worker’s wages. Generally, employers are not expected to create new job positions or roles simply to fulfill the obligation to offer suitable work. Employers are expected to identify and make available suitable work opportunities that already exist, or may exist, within their organization, and that match the worker’s functional abilities and medical restrictions. Employers should consider what changes to the work or workplace could be made to allow a worker to return to work. Amanda (TeksMed Services): I believe you mean undue hardship for the Employer. Creating a new position does not qualify as undue hardship in and of itself. Undue hardship is a VERY HIGH bar to claim and the employer has the onus of proof to support that hardship. Hardship within Policy is defined as:

Undue hardship is the point at which it is too difficult, too expensive, or unsafe for the employer to accommodate the worker.

Some examples of things the Board may consider in relation to this per the RSCM are:
  • safety risks to the worker, other workers, or others;
  • financial ability to accommodate;
  • disruption of operations;
  • interchangeability of the work force and facilities;
  • size of the employer’s operation; and
  • impact on other workers.
Checking with your employees once or twice a year to make sure their PPE is fitting comfortably and meeting their needs is a great way to ensure they are properly protected. This can ensure that they will continue to fit well and protect workers should there be any changes in their faces due to weight gain, weight loss, surgery, aging, etc. Eye exams are also recommended every 2 years for adults, and sometimes more frequently for various medical reasons, at the discretion of the optometrist. Lens coatings typically last 1-2 years and should be replaced when they begin to break down (as it will negatively affect an employee's vision).
You will want something with a full seal gasket to keep the droplets out of the eyes. If the water being splashed on the face is constant you may want to move up to a rubber seal gasket, for a stronger seal against the face. Here are some examples of both options:
Frames w/ Full Seal Gaskets
Frames w/ Rubber Seal Gaskets
ArmouRx
Hilco OnGuard
WileyX
ArmouRx
Hilco OnGuard
6005
OG 225FDD
Boss
6008FS
OG 220FS
6006
OG 240FDD
Breach
6020
OG 800
6007
US 110FS
Sleek
6009
US 120FS
6014
6015
6016
Both the ArmouRx 6020 and the Hilco OnGuard OG 800 also carry the ANSI D3 certification for protection against droplets. All of the frames mentioned are CSA Z94.3 certified.

See the video answer to this question.

No, but should sanitize regularly and disinfect when advised by the health authority of a symptomatic COVID-19 case.

Employees are starting to ask for material that can be used by employees that drive, and that is something we are in the process of delivering. We did a review of the people taking our courses and webinars, and there seems to be a real interest from workers and employers who drive to do so. They are signing up and we are seeing more completing the courses. There is material on our website that is helpful for those driving and we'll be sharing that with you all soon.

This depends on your risk assessment. Controls need to be factored in to make this determination – frequency of cleaning, protocols in place (are masks being worn, are occupancy limits being followed, etc.).

Source: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/ipac/2020/09/covid-19-hvac-systems-in-buildings.pdf?la=en  

In general, while there is plausibility of COVID-19 transmission by inhaled virus in air particularly in crowded, poorly ventilated settings, there is limited epidemiological evidence that this occurs. Specifically, the overall scientific evidence does not indicate that transmission of COVID-19 occurs via HVAC systems at this time. Although viral RNA has been detected in air and HVAC systems, the viability of virus in or infection from air circulated through HVAC systems has not been demonstrated. 

Enhancing outdoor air ventilation and good maintenance of HVAC systems will complement other public health measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission, e.g., screening, self-isolation when sick, physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory source control, environmental cleaning and disinfection 

Good ventilation is important in indoor environments for the general health and comfort of occupants. Optimization of HVAC systems can be done on the basis of best practices for ventilation, as COVID-19 transmission from HVAC systems has not been observed. In general, avoiding stagnant air conditions and ventilating indoor environments with fresh outdoor air, whether by increasing the outdoor air ratio of the HVAC system or by opening windows, will dilute exhaled air from the occupants including any infectious particles. Thus, most guidance encourage ventilation with outdoor air, avoiding recirculation as far as practically possible and ensuring clean filters  

Source: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/about-us/covid-19/general-ventilation-and-air-circulation-covid-19-faq?lang=en  

It is a requirement for employers to ensure that heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed, operated, and maintained as per standards and specifications for ongoing comfort for workers (Part 4 of the OHS Regulation).