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.

By clicking “Accept” or continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies, as described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice, where and as permitted by law.
ACCEPT