Safety Alert (April 18, 2020)
COVID-19 Update FEMA has identified a manufacturer to mass produce and distribute cloth face masks over the next several weeks to life-line sectors. The chemical sector has been identified as one of eight out of the 16 critical sectors to receive priority access to these masks, and the Department of Homeland Security is requesting contact information for shipment and the number of U.S.-based employees requiring a cloth face mask to work safely based on current CDC recommendations relating to COVID-19. No payment is required for these masks; FEMA will distribute them directly from the manufacturer to the point of contact and address provided. To streamline this process, we encourage you to designate only one shipment location and point of contact per company, and each company will be responsible for allocating and shipping among your U.S.-based facilities. Please note: this is not a request for qualified PPE. These are not flame retardant masks. They are an anti-microbial t-shirt type material, good for 15 washes, packed 5 masks per package with 100 packages per box (500 total masks per box). These masks are intended to satisfy CDC recommendations to wear cloth masks in places where social distancing is difficult to maintain (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html) and could also be used in response to local orders to wear cloth masks. This is also a rolling request; additional phases of mask rollout will occur as return-to-work policies are implemented. Once your contact information is received, that information will be forwarded along to DHS. CGA/GAWDA members that would like to request cloth face coverings through the FEMA program must provide their information at the link below no later than 5:00PM (Eastern) on Monday, April 20, 2020 CGA/GAWDA Member Face Covering Request Form: Although CGA is collecting this information and will forward it to DHS, they have no control over when, how or how many masks will be delivered. You may receive your total request or only part of your request. CGA will not be tracking distribution. CGA will provide any additional information about this program if and when they receive it. |
This GAWDA DOT Safety Alert is issued by GAWDA Consultant Tom Badstubner.
Please contact Tom for further information.