S&ME’s Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) Expertise and Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 25, 2020
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.
S&ME’s Environmental Team’s Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) are committed to combating the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With a team-centered approach, our CIHs provide guidance during these challenging times, including COVID-19 Back to Work Program Development, COVID-19 training, prevention and response planning, environmental surface sampling, and decontamination oversight.
S&ME is closely monitoring the latest COVID-19 developments. We have taken a proactive approach in protecting our team so we can continue to help you protect yours. As a trusted business partner with human health and safety at the forefront of everything we do, our team has the technical expertise to meet your needs.
Our Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) have been working closely with our Executive Leadership, Technical Principals, Project Managers, and Environmental Specialists to design a range of services to help our clients protect their staff and/or tenants during this pandemic. Currently, S&ME is offering the following COVID-19 related-services:
(COVID-19) Back to Work Program Development – Our CIHs understand how important it is for your employees to return to work as soon as allowed. We are prepared to help you develop a comprehensive plan to help your workforce return to work without sacrificing the safety of your most valued assets.
Environmental Surface Sampling with analysis by Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR)
(COVID-19) General Training – S&ME conducts a virtual COVID-19 Hazard Awareness course covering general awareness, preventative measures, cleaning and disinfection, protecting staff and occupants.
Environmental Project Manager performing a qualitative fit test on an employee.
(COVID-19) General Consulting – S&ME has experienced personnel, including CIHs, ready and able to advise and answer your specific questions, including preparing prevention and response plans and evaluating cleaning contractor qualifications.
(COVID-19) Prevention and Response Program – Our CIHs provide a COVID-19 Prevention and Response Program with the appropriate procedures and recommendations to minimize the chance of occupants contracting the virus in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations. The Program includes procedures on cleaning and disinfection as well as personal protective equipment to be utilized during cleaning, with the intent of minimizing potential exposures.
(COVID-19) Project Oversight – S&ME’s professional industrial hygiene and safety staff provide the following:
- On-going Consultation – S&ME’s staff, including CIHs and environmental professionals, provide on-going virtual consultation without compromising the well-being of others.
- Program Updates – S&ME monitors reported changes to CDC response recommendations and updates your Prevention and Response Program as needed.
- Third-Party Response Procedure Oversight – S&ME supplies an Industrial Hygienist to oversee the implementation of the Program by providing a third-party oversight of procedures followed, areas/surfaces cleaned, and documentation of the process.
Respiratory Protection Services – S&ME prepares written respiratory protection plans or updates your existing program, assists with obtaining respiratory medical clearances, performs qualitative/quantitative fit testing, and/or conducts respiratory protection training.
Environmental Project Manager swabbing the handle of a water fountain.
Construction Site Evaluation/Health and Safety COVID-19 Preparedness and Implementation Oversight – S&ME can assist contractors whose projects must continue by developing a site-specific health and safety plan to minimize COVID-19 in the workplace. S&ME’s professionals can provide onsite support to ensure that the plan is implemented.
Additional related services: Personal Protective Equipment Assessments, Business Contingency Plan Development/Updates, and Bloodborne Pathogen Program Development and Training.
Please contact either Chris Murray, CIH, CSP at cbmurray@smeinc.com; (919) 872.2660, or Ken Warren, CIH at kwarren@smeinc.com; (843) 884.0005 for more information.