The AIHA community of industrial hygienists and occupational and environmental health and safety science professionals continue to work on providing relevant and sound guidance for a variety of industries and professions to help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19. The following information is free for all to use and disseminate for the public's use. As research and information continues to expand about the disease, these infographics, white papers, and guidance documents will be updated.

For specific industry guidance on how to get back to work safely and conduct operations and business, please visit BackToWorkSafely.org for additional in-depth guidance specific to various industries. Spanish translations of these materials will be made available as soon as readily available.

Infographic

Considerations on the Safe Use of UVC Radiation for Surface and Air Disinfection

Studies indicate UV radiation is capable of killing SARS-CoV-2. However, the power of UV light needed to kill the germs greatly exceeds levels that would be considered “safe” to humans. Find out more about the science and facts of UV radiation.
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Guidance Document

Effective and Safe Practices, Guidance for Custodians, Cleaning, and Maintenance Staff

Although the primary spread of COVID-19 results from close person-to-person contact, studies have shown that, on certain surfaces, the virus remains infectious for hours to days. Therefore, effective cleaning and disinfection is important to prevent spread of disease. This document provides guidance on what, when, where, and how to clean and disinfect properly to reduce and eliminate traces of the virus in used workspaces.
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Guidance Document

Employers Guide to COVID Cleaning and Disinfection in Non-Healthcare Workplaces

As companies return to work in office buildings, retail centers, and other public places employers must take steps to reduce the risk of employees and customers contracting COVID-19 Establishing enhanced routine cleaning and disinfection procedures in offices, factories, distribution warehouses, call centers, pharmacies, grocery stores, and other non-healthcare workplaces is a critical step in reducing exposures and the risk of infection.
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Guidance Document

Focus on Construction Health COVID-19

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the disease attributed to it presents a major worker health protection challenge. The AIHA Construction Committee prepared this guidance to give construction employers a practical plan for protecting construction workers from COVID-19. It includes a seven-step plan to address COVID-19 and describes the role of the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) as an important tool to identify and control factors that could lead to higher exposures.
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White Paper

Personal Protective Equipment for SARS-CoV-2

When hazardous agents in the workplace cannot be controlled by elimination, isolation, ventilation, administrative controls, or another better means, then Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used as a last resort to protect workers. This fact sheet is useful for workers who may be expected to be in contact with known or potentially contagious clients or members of the public during their jobs, including nurses, physicians, law enforcement, nursing home aides, maintenance workers, medical transporters, or correctional facility guards, and other professionals.
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Infographic

Proper Use of Respirators for Healthcare Workers and First Responders

Respirators are imperative for healthcare workers and first responders to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but they only work if they are used properly. Review these tips about proper wear and care so you can remain healthy and safe
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Guidance Document

Recovering from COVID-19 Building Closures

When normalcy returns, buildings that were shut down with forethought and maintained during the closure period will be functional, safe, and ready to reopen. Buildings that were not closed properly, not maintained during the closure, and not effectively cleaned could pose a health hazard to their occupants and staff. Failed attempts to reopen could affect the health of building occupants, compromise the reputation of the facility, create a stigma as being a “sick building,” and waste limited resources.
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Guidance Document

Reducing the Risk of COVID-19 Using Engineering Controls

Engineering controls that can keep infectious aerosols at very low levels indoors offer the greatest promise to protect non-healthcare workers and other vulnerable populations as we reopen our businesses and workplaces. Engineering controls have historically proven to be more reliable because they are less prone to human error.
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Guidance Document

SUPPLEMENT - Reducing the Risk of COVID-19 Using Engineering Controls

This supplement explains how estimates of relative risk reduction were derived for face covering in the AIHA guidance document on reducing risk of COVID-19 using engineering controls.
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Guidance Document

Use of Real Time Detection Systems to Protect the Public During COVID-19

AIHA’s Real Time Detection Systems (RTDS) Committee has prepared some considerations where instrumentation and data could support the protection of public and occupational health during this pandemic event. This document provides information for professionals to consider while working to advance technology and data during the crisis, as well as to prepare businesses for people to return to work.
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White Paper

Worker Rights

AIHA supports workplace protections that are essential components of occupational and environmental health and safety systems and programs. AIHA believes these basic protections are worker rights, as well as an essential ingredient of today's occupational health and safety systems. These protections are already largely embodied in law for many workers and employees in the United States, but unfortunately, not all workers enjoy these basic rights.
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Guidance Document

Workplace Cleaning for COVID-19

Critical and essential workplaces operating during this pandemic need to implement procedures to reduce the risk of workers, contractors, vendors, customers, and members of the community becoming infected on their premises. Establishing enhanced routine cleaning and disinfection procedures in offices, factories, warehouses, call centers, grocery stores, and other non-healthcare workplaces is a critical step in reducing exposures and infections.
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Addressing COVID-19- Ask an Industrial Hygienist

AIHA member Christopher Kuhlman, PhD, CIH, shared in an AWO webinar about his ongoing work with maritime employers during this crisis and featured discussion on vessel decontamination, transmission prevention, and more.

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AIHA's Ergonomics Guide (for Work-from-Home Workers)

With so many people needing to telework during this crisis, AIHA wants to help you remain healthy while working from home. Follow these tips to make the most of your home office setup and stay healthy and fit while doing your best work.

Check out these tips!
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Free webinar for IH and IP professionals from AIHA and APIC

"Ventilation, surface disinfection and PPE considerations" addresses gaps of knowledge regarding ventilation, respirators, construction issues, OH&S, and business. AIHA members may view the recording for free through the link below.

Member access to the recording
Topics AIHA Emergency Preparedness & Response Exposure Assessment IH Program Management