Safe Field Testing During COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction

The following steps are the general and task-specific actions Montrose teams are taking to ensure we can safely provide field-testing services for our clients around the country during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BASIC STEPS

All employees have been directed to:

• Stay home if symptomatic or have had known exposure and use company-paid sick time and other company-paid time off benefits
• Pre-shift self-screening by employees has been put in place to identify and minimize potential exposure risks
• Work remotely whenever possible to minimize the potential of spreading the virus (office-based employees)
• Employ social distancing (6 feet), even where not mandated by local authorities
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least twenty seconds and use hand sanitizer (> 60 percent alcohol)
• Avoid touching hands to face
• Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces before and after shifts or crew changes

Note:

• All employees have been informed and trained on COVID-19 and these procedures
• Visitor access to our facilities has been restricted to essential business.
• Existing stop work authority (as with any workplace hazard) is reinforced.

JOB PREPARATION

Employees have been directed to:

• Verify the customer’s site conditions, processes, and operations before commencing prep work to ensure that we can operate in a safe manner
• Assemble the necessary PPE to bring to the job site
  • Bring all sanitizing products needed to clean company and customer surfaces that may be encountered
• Arrange workstations to provide for 6 feet of separation between co-workers
• Wear gloves, whenever possible
• Disinfect work areas, including mobile lab workspaces, before and after shifts or crew changes
• Disinfect test equipment surfaces (focusing on man/machine interfaces – handles, switches, knob, buttons, keyboards and keys, etc.) before and after shifts or crew changes

SCHEDULING

Employees have been directed to:

• Establish and maintain separate, designated teams (with the same PMs and technicians) where possible, to minimize cross-contamination
• Dedicate each mobile laboratory unit to a single PM/Tech team

MOBILIZATION

Employees have been directed to:

• Avoid all public transportation when possible
• Pay for fuel outdoors and sanitize contact surfaces before touching
• Not eat in public dining areas

ARRIVAL AND CUSTOMER INTERFACE

Employees have been directed to:

• Follow all site rules at all times, including any recently implemented COVID-19 requirements
• Maintain a minimum of 6 feet of interpersonal distancing, especially from plant personnel
• Arrange pre-job meetings using virtual technology, where possible
• Conduct face-to-face meetings outdoors for any in-person situations (orientation, safety, and daily tailgate meetings, etc.)

ON SITE TESTING

Employees have been directed to:

• Arrange workstations to provide for 6 feet of separation between co-workers
• Disinfect test equipment surfaces (focusing on man/machine interfaces – handles, switches, knob, buttons, keyboards and keys,
  etc.)
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces before and after operator changes and shift or crew changes
• Use field connectivity technology to facilitate customer communication
  • Phones or radios, as allowed, for real-time communication needs
  • Email for test, operational, and monitoring data
• Use field connectivity technology to facilitate regulatory agency observation
  • Facetime leak checks with remote observer
  • Video conferencing with screen sharing of live test and calibration data collection
• Prohibit visitors from physically entering enclosed personal workspaces such as mobile laboratories
• Wear gloves, whenever possible
• Create separate on-stack work areas for each team member to maintain 6 feet of separation
• Be careful to avoid sample contamination from disinfectant products
• Disinfect work areas, including mobile lab workspaces

LAB ANALYSIS

Employees have been directed to:

• Not share workspaces
• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between co-workers
• Disinfect equipment surfaces (focusing on man/machine interfaces – handles, switches, knob, buttons, keyboards and keys, sample transport containers, etc.)
• Wear gloves whenever possible
• Be careful to avoid sample contamination from disinfectant products

REPORTING

Employees have been directed to:

• Not share workspaces when working at the office
• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between coworkers
• Disinfect office equipment surfaces (focusing on man/machine interfaces – handles, switches, knob, buttons, keyboards and keys, etc.)

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your
contact at Montrose, or email covid19taskforce@montrose-env.com.