The information shared on this webpage is intended to keep Palomar Community College District employees informed of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Employees must determine a level of risk to occupational exposure in order to be supplied with the most appropriate PPE to wear during work hours. Review the levels of risk.
Once you have determined your level of risk, communicate that level to your supervisor, or department chair, for review. Your supervisor, or department chair, will communicate your PPE needs to Environmental Health & Safety. A supervisor may request PPE by emailing FacilitiesRemedy@palomar.edu.
It is important to keep in mind that on-site work environments can and will change depending on individual assignments and the amount of people in the areas of campus you will be working. Your assignments and the amount of people in your work environment may depend on the applicable District policies in place at the time of your work assignment. Please reassess your level of risk as your assignment(s) change.
SAFETY MESSAGE
Occupational Risk Exposure Levels for COVID-19
Very High Exposure Risk: This category covers jobs with a high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of COVID-19, such as medical providers, medical transport workers, and certain mortuary workers who are treating, transporting, or preparing people who are known or suspected sources of COVID-19.
Recommended Action: These recommendations generally apply in health care and mortuary settings. Most workers in these categories likely need to wear PPE, including gloves, a gown, a face shield or goggles, and a face mask or respirator.
Employees who may fall into this category:
- Doctors
- Surgeons
(No district activities should have any Palomar College employees placed into this category).
High Exposure Risk: This category covers jobs with a high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of COVID-19, such as medical providers, medical transport workers, and certain mortuary workers who are treating, transporting, or preparing people who are known or suspected sources of COVID-19.
Recommended Action: These recommendations generally apply in health care and mortuary settings. Most workers in these categories likely need to wear PPE, including gloves, a gown, a face shield or goggles, and a face mask or respirator.
Medium Exposure Risk: This category of jobs includes those that require frequent and/or close contact with (i.e., within six feet of) other people who may be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, but are not known or suspected COVID-19 patients.
Recommended Action: Employers should provide employees with general guidance and commonsense methods to reduce exposure and monitor recommendations by the CDC for updates. For engineering controls, consider installing physical barriers, such as clear plastic sneeze guards, where feasible. For administrative controls, consider offering to ill employees and customers face masks or reusable face shields that can be decontaminated. Where appropriate, limit customer and public access to worksites or restrict access to certain areas. Consider minimizing face-to-face contact, and communicate the availability of health resources.
Lower Exposure Risk (Caution): This category covers jobs that do not require contact with people known to be, or suspected of being, infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 nor require frequent close contact with (i.e., within six feet of) the general public. Recommended Action: Employers should provide employees with general guidance and common-sense methods to reduce exposure and monitor recommendations by the CDC for updates. No additional engineering controls or PPE are recommended at this time.
Resources on Mask Safety
Information provided by the CDC on the following:
- Your Guide to Masks
-
Masks and Respirators
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.
A washing machine should suffice in properly washing a cloth face covering
Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their cloth face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.