249a - Successful prevention strategies to prevent infectious airborne disease transmission in workers and our communities: a panel discussion

Introduction & Moderation of the Panel: COVID-19 is a preventable disease, primarily caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus aerosols entering the respiratory system. There is no dose-response, no exposure limits, and no simple instrumental methods for detecting the virus. Since the virus travels with infected people, a primary challenge has been developing hazard/risk assessments and safe work procedures to prevent the virus from entering and exiting workplaces. Four senior Occupational, Environmental, Health, and Safety (OEHS) professionals will present successful prevention initiatives that lowered the risk of occupational transmission of SARS-CoV-2. These initiatives encompass the development and content of Canada’s new respiratory protection standards; quantitative respiratory protection fit testing for South African health care workers; COVID-19 as a preventable occupational disease in the Canadian film industry. The panel is moderated by the CEO of the AIHA, an IOHA member-association, who will discuss making representations for worker and community prevention to national and state government agencies, as well as allied professional associations.