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IHMM Summer Update

In June, the IHMM Board held its Second Quarter Board Meeting by teleconference. Traditionally, the Second Quarter meeting is always by teleconference, but given the COVID-19 situation, this medium is especially useful. In order to reduce travel costs and for the protection of the Board and Staff, our third quarter meeting will probably also be by teleconference.

Like all organizations, IHMM has been challenged by COVID-19 and must adapt accordingly. Thanks to significant investments in the Association Anywhere (“AA”) software about 4 years ago, and adjustments after a difficult start-up period, the IHMM Staff is able to operate remotely. Most staff have been working from home since March. Recertifications are being processed on line at about the same pace as last year. Back office operations continue on line.

However, because many Kryterion Test Centers shut down in March and have been slow to open up, sitting for an exam has been become more difficult. ANSI finally approved a procedure for people to sit for an exam remotely, such as at the office or at home. However, the person must be under constant video surveillance during the process and cannot otherwise conduct any activity outside the view of the screen or any questionable activity in front of the screen. This makes for an awkward situation, but we all must adapt because of COVID-19. If you are considering sitting for an exam, we urge you to do so at an open test center or remotely. Further, for the health of IHMM, it is critical that Certificants encourage other professionals to become certified. With many persons working remotely, this may a great time to prepare for and sit for an exam.

Most Conferences and Technical Meetings are now occurring on line. The AHMP National Meeting

will be “virtual.” IHMM will be participating with a “virtual” booth. IHMM continues to reach out and engage it’s Certificants through the newly formed Hazardous Material Society or (HMS”). The HMS website has an extensive listing of online and in person training courses that can be used to gain recertification points. Further, IHMM has made an extensive revision of its website and the new website is very user friendly. The website has a “Collaboration” platform where Certificants’, staff and IHMM Committees can exchange information in real time. We urge all Certificants and those preparing to sit for an exam to make use of these extensive resources.

Details: Written by Mark Baumgardner, CHMM; Created: 20 July 2020; Last Updated: 20 July 2020

considerations for purchasing international respirators

A recording of the recent webinar on Factors to Consider When Planning to Purchase Respirators from Another Country is now available. This webinar discusses key factors to help buyers make informed procurement decisions when making a respirator purchase. The information will help to maximize the likelihood of obtaining safe and effective products that will keep workers safe. Watch the webinar on Youtube

See the Factors to Consider When Planning to Purchase Respirators from Another Country page within the CDC COVID-19 Strategies to Optimize the Supply of PPE and Equipment.

Details: Written by Super User; Created: 13 May 2020; Last Updated: 13 May 2020

EPA, CDC Release Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Spaces Where Americans Live, Work, and Play

Guidance helps facilities and families implement Opening Up America Again guidelines

WASHINGTON (April 29, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance to help facility operators and families properly clean and disinfect spaces. Developed in concert with the White House, the guidance provides step-by-step instructions for public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes, and falls in line with the Opening up America Again guidelines .

“These guidelines will provide all Americans with information they need to help the country reopen as safely as possible,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “These cleaning and disinfecting protocols will help ensure the health and safety of everyone in our homes, schools, offices and businesses.”

“Proper and effective cleaning and disinfecting are important to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield. “As our nation re-opens, this guidance is critical to help Americans return as safely as possible to work, school, and other daily activities within their communities.”

EPA’s expertise on the safe and effective use of disinfectants against the virus that causes COVID-19 informed the development of this comprehensive plan. The guidance offers a practical, three-step process for preparing spaces for reopening:

Develop a plan,
Implement the plan, and
Maintain and revise the plan.

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces is an important, two-step process central to any effort to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Clean: Use soap and water to remove germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It lowers the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfect: Use disinfectant products to kill germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

EPA has compiled a list of disinfectant products, including ready-to-use sprays, concentrates, and wipes, that can be used against COVID-19. Always follow the product label instructions and safety information including leaving the product on the surface long enough to kill germs, rinsing off the product to avoid ingesting it, and putting the product out of reach of children right away.

Also, avoid over-using or stockpiling disinfectants or personal protective equipment (such as gloves). This can result in shortages of critical products needed for emergencies. In the event that disinfectant products on the EPA list are not available, the guidance provides other techniques for disinfecting surfaces that are as effective in reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

This guidance does not replace other measures that still need to be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. It is important to continue to practice social distancing, wear cloth face coverings, and wash your hands frequently. As we move forward to reopen America, continue to follow federal, state, tribal, territorial and local guidance.

To view the guidance, click here: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/guidance-cleaning-and-disinfecting-public-spaces-workplaces-businesses-schools-and-homes .

Details: Written by Super User; Created: 29 April 2020; Last Updated: 29 April 2020

Ventilation, surface disinfection and PPE considerations

APIC learning: AIHA & APIC COVID-19 Response: Ventilation, surface disinfection and PPE considerations for the IP and IH

Details: Written by Super User; Created: 09 April 2020; Last Updated: 09 April 2020

Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2

List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

Other COVID-19 Resources

All products on this list meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Details: Written by Super User; Created: 03 April 2020; Last Updated: 03 April 2020

Collaboration!

IHMM Staff Ask Me Anything July 9, 2020 2:00pm EDT-

Message: Hello CHMM Community! We will be having an Ask Me Anything discussion on this thread July 9, 2020 from 2:00pm EDT until 3:00pm EDT. We look forward to seeing you there!

James Drosdak - Certification Coordinator

Kortney Tunstall - Certification Coordinator

Jimmy Nguyen - Certification Coordinator

Over 200 million Americans are now in stay-at-home orders. IHMM and HMS have assembled the most powerful and innovative online platform that, despite our isolation from personal contact, allows us to be isolated together in a new, virtual online environment. We can still communicate, collaborate and grow together.

IHMM and HMS' new platform allows certificants and members to easily interact and communicate online, empowering volunteer groups, committees, and other special groups to work effectively together remotely. Groups may also form around topical areas and shared interests, spawning knowledge communities. Social tools such as commenting capabilities and ranking stats will ensure quick and easy access to the most relevant/popular information.

A collaborative culture is important for every business but is especially important for our hazardous materials, dangerous goods, environment, health and safety communities of practice. IHMM credentialed professionals are at the top 1% of their professions and their reach is global. We are at the forefront of environmental protection, health, and safety and this is where collaborating with the very best people in their fields, people who are always willing to help one another lessens the stress of our jobs and where we strive as a team to make a difference of which we are all proud.

Our online community continues to grow every day, with new groups forming week in and week out. And we've updated the platform to ensure you can access the content, groups, members, and discussions that interest you most-quickly and easily.

Here's a quick overview of some of the features:

Enhanced email capabilities. You can receive digests of activities in your chosen communities.
Faster Search results – within the new platform, your member search is faster than ever.
Creation of networks – Auto creation of network based on certain profile demographics.
Signing up for all your Member alerts in one area --previously, you had to go to every single group in which you were a member to get alert notifications. No more!
Prefer to get everything via RSS feed? Now you can select any or all the communities in which you are a member, and they'll be aggregated into a single feed!
Like a document that you read? You can add it to your favorites for quick and easy access in the future.

We plan to take the site live this week and will shortly add mobile capability. Collaboration will continually evolve to meet your needs and those of our ever-growing online community.

Your online community awaits you. It's time for COLLABORATION!

Questions? Please contact Gene Guilford [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.], Jimmy Nguyen [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.], Tom Base [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]. Every member of the IHMM staff is assigned to work with one or more of the now 28 different communities and committees now in COLLABORATION.

Details: Written by Mark Baumgardner, CHMM; Created: 02 April 2020; Last Updated: 09 July 2020