COVID -19 Guidance for Returning to work at Universities and other locations

Duke University has two return to work guides. 

• Return to work for Research Laboratories (Duke University)
• Return to the workplace general guide (Duke University)

The British firm CIPD has produced a return to work guide.

• Returning to work after the coronavirus (CIPD)

The American Industrial Hygiene Association has Back to Work Safely guidelines for several industries. 

• Reopening Guidance for General Office Settings (AIHA)
• Return to Work Construction Guidelines (AIHA)
• Reopening Retail Guidelines (AIHA)
• Reopening Restaurant Guidelines (AIHA)

The University of Minnesota

• COVID-19 Health and Safety Resources (UHS)
• Sunrise Plan for U of Minnesota (UMN)

Summs guide for returning to work - 19 min.

IOSH - guide for health professionals - 1 hour

The use of Heat for SARS-CoV-2 disinfection

There are four main methods to disinfect SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19.

1. Time: The virus eventually no longer will be viable after a period of time. This depends on several things including the surface type, the temperature, and relative humidity. 
2. Ultraviolet light (UV-C) also known as UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) at 254 nm works to alter the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2.
3. Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide 
4. Temperature. Elevated temperatures reduce the viability of the virus.  

Links:

Consumer Lab: 

WHO - SARS survival (not SARS-CoV-2)

NIH validates methods of respirator decontamination

Decontamination of respirators was effective at 70 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes. These elevated temperatures may cause damage to respirator components.  

Stanford Medicine has done multiple studies decontaminating respirators with UV-C and heat. In there study they found repeated heating of masks with hot air at 75C for 20 cycles did not damage a respirator. An 8 W UVGI (254 nm) for 30 minutes for 10 cycles did not damage the respirator.

As I reviewed the 3M website masks appeared to have different temperature tolerances. 

Guidelines for Reopening Businesses and schools during COVID-19

The deeper you look the more you find - photo N. Carlson

Many places of employment are working through plans to reopen while minimizing transmission of SARS cov 2 the virus that causes COVID-19. The following is a list of guidances primarily from the CDC about opening businesses, schools and Universities. In the near future more specific information will become available, and this information will be added to the post. 

General guidance:

Back to Work Safely - AIHA offers industry specific guidance for getting back to work safely.

Business guide for responding to COVID-19 - CDC

Reopening Guidance for Schools and Businesses - CDC


How to clean and conduct risk management for COVID-19:

Cleaning and Disinfecting Tool - CDC

Disinfect Non-Emergency Vehicle with COVID-19 positive occupant - CDC

Reopening guidance for cleaning and disinfecting areas - CDC

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility - CDC

Guidance for Schools for COVID-19  - CDC

Guidance for Higher Education Administration - CDC

Cleaning for CoVID -19 - Sustainable Mycology summary

LBC - General information on Deep Cleaning for Coronavirus - 3 min. 

Private Sector call on COVID-19 response from CDC 4/29/2020 -46 Min.

COVID-19 School response - March 26, 2020 - CDC - 61 min.