Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025
11:13
Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an ABSL-4 Laboratory: 3. Aerobiology
Published on: October 3, 2016
14.4K
Feature, Barrier Face Coverings for Workers
Lisa M Brosseau1, Jeffrey Stull2
1Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, 5635University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Summary
New standards for barrier face coverings (BFCs) were developed to protect workers from COVID-19. Research compared BFC effectiveness based on leakage, informing workplace safety protocols against infectious respiratory organisms.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Infectious Disease Control
- Materials Science
Background:
- Face coverings were recommended to mitigate COVID-19 transmission, with initial guidelines emphasizing multi-layered, tightly fitting designs.
- The development of specific performance criteria for workplace barrier face coverings (BFCs) became crucial during the pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the ASTM 3502 Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings (BFCs).
- To describe the development of performance criteria for workplace BFCs.
- To present a method for evaluating BFC effectiveness against infectious doses based on leakage.
Main Methods:
- Description of the ASTM 3502 Standard Specification for BFCs.
- Development of performance criteria for workplace BFCs.
- Methodology for comparing BFCs with varying inward (personal protection) and outward (source control) leakage.
Main Results:
- A new standard (ASTM 3502) and performance criteria for workplace BFCs were established.
- A method was developed to quantify the impact of BFC leakage on the time to receipt of an infectious dose.
Conclusions:
- The role of BFCs in workplace settings for both pandemic and post-pandemic infectious respiratory organism exposure requires further investigation.
- Occupational health and safety professionals must understand the limitations of BFCs compared to respiratory protection.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Personal Protective Equipment
1.7K
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is unique clothing or equipment worn by an employee to minimize or prevent exposure to infectious agents. PPE creates a barrier between the employee and the infectious materials. PPE must be readily available in the patient care area. PPE includes gloves, gowns and aprons, masks and respirators, goggles, face shields, shoes, and headcovers:
1.7K
01:22PPE Use in Healthcare Settings I: Donning
1.2K
Donning PPE must be completed before contact with the patient. This process protects from infectious agents. The sequence and action included in each donning are critical, and the steps must be systematic to avoid exposure to pathogens. The institutional policy also needs to be followed while donning PPE. The pre-donning preparations are gathering equipment, inspecting the PPE equipment for tears, holes, or damage, removing jewelry, removing any garments below the elbows, and tying the hair...
1.2K
01:10PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing
1.0K
The sequence of removing or doffing PPE starts with the gloves, as they are the most contaminated. Next is removal of the face shield or goggles, as they would interfere with removing other PPE. Then remove the gown, followed by the mask or respirator. Perform hand hygiene between steps if hands become contaminated and immediately after removing all PPE. Generally, the outside front and sleeves of the isolation gown, the goggles or the mask, the respirator, and the face shield are contaminated.
1.0K
01:28Survey Safety
86
Surveying near highways, rough terrain, or power lines involves significant risks. Working along highways is particularly dangerous and requires the use of warning signs and flagmen. It is safest to avoid working directly on roads and use offsets whenever possible. When highway work is unavoidable, it must follow all safety guidelines. Surveyors should wear bright clothing, such as orange reflective vests, to ensure visibility to motorists, coworkers, and hunters. In construction zones, wearing...
86
01:26Standard Precaution
2.1K
Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
2.1K
01:30Barriers to Effective Communication I
9.4K
A communication barrier is any distortion or interruption during a conversation, resulting in miscommunication of the message. A good communicator should know these barriers and continuously check for the listener's understanding by obtaining feedback.
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this...
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this...
9.4K