Armaments Center Infectious Disease Risk Mitigation Guidelines for COVI....pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. ARMY COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND (CCDC)

ARMAMENTS CENTER (AC)

PICATINNY ARSENAL, NEW JERSEY 07806-5000

Revision 1.0 Issue Date: 27 May 2020

CCDC ARMAMENTS CENTER INFECTIOUS DISEASE

RISK MITIGATION GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19

1. PURPOSE:

The purpose of these CCDC Armaments Center Infectious Disease (ID) Risk Mitigation Guidelines for COVID-19 (hereafter referred to as the COVID-19 Guidelines) are to provide the specific minimum requirements that must be implemented in all CCDC Armaments Center buildings/areas regardless of site while the CCDC Armaments Center Infectious Disease Mitigation and Recovery Plan is in effect for COVID-19. These infectious disease risk mitigation guidelines are specifically for the current COVID-19 threat. They are based upon guidance available primarily from the Army Public Health Command (APHC) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). These COVID-19 Guidelines prioritize safety and the health of the workforce in a COVID-19 environment over the amenities typically available under normal conditions. Supervisors are encouraged to implement any additional COVID-19 risk mitigation measures and controls in their buildings/areas that span administrative controls, engineering controls, and safe work practices that will further mitigate COVID-19 risks. While these COVID-19 Guidelines are based on current knowledge of the COVID-19 threat and effective risk mitigation strategies, comments and recommendations for addressing new and innovative methodologies for risk mitigation which can be realistically implemented are encouraged and should be provided to the CCDC Armaments Center Executive Directors and the Risk Management Office for assessment and potential incorporation into the Guidelines.

2. APPLICABILITY:

These COVID-19 Guidelines apply to all CCDC Armaments Center employees and all other personnel (government, contractor or visitors), who request access to CCDC Armaments Center work areas at any site.

3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COVID-19 GUIDELINES:

The Implementation of the COVID-19 Guidelines are described below and depicted in Figure 1.

A. These COVID-19 Guidelines are an integral component to the overarching CCDC Armaments Center Infectious Disease Mitigation and Recovery Plan.

B. The COVID-19 Guidelines for this COVID-19 infectious disease threat provide the specific minimum requirements that must be implemented in all CCDC Armaments Center buildings/areas regardless of site. The COVID-19 Guidelines will be the basis for a Deliberate Risk Assessment to be approved by the CCDC Armaments Center Director and the Center Executive Directors.

Figure 1

C. Program Assessments will be performed by the CCDC Armaments Center Director and the Center Executive Directors to determine which programs are mission critical for work on-site with input from the management chain. Supervisors will minimize on-site occupancy to the maximum extent possible. To do so, supervisors will analyze work efforts to ensure only priority activities that require post access are requested. Supervisors will be notified as to program priorities.

D. Supervisors will perform COVID-19 risk mitigation implementation planning for their specific buildings/areas based upon the COVID-19 Guidelines. Supervisors are encouraged to implement any additional COVID-19 risk mitigation measures and controls in their buildings/areas that span administrative controls, engineering controls, and safe work practices that will further mitigate COVID-19 risks. An excellent resource is the American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA®) Reopening Guidance for General Office Settings. Additional resources for COVID-19 information are available at https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/Main.aspx. Lower-level planning documentation related to COVID-19 risk mitigation will be developed as necessary at the discretion of the management chain depending upon the number of the personnel in the building/area and the complexity of the work environment. Documentation will include https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/Main.aspx building specific implementation orientation materials to be given to employees, on-site contractors and visitors.

E. When building/area risk mitigation planning is completed, workforce training is completed and necessary supplies available, a Risk Mitigation Implementation Readiness Review will be conducted for the building/areas chaired by the affected Competency Director(s)/Office Chief(s) and the Risk Management Office. Once successfully completed, the affected Center Executive Director(s) will be notified.

F. The Center Executive Director(s) of the building/area will make the final decision as to return of personnel to the building/area for specific program work.

4. SPECIFIC RISK MITIGATION GUIDELINES:

A. ACCESS TO BUILDINGS/AREAS:

Non-resident building/area employees and visitors will be allowed only on an exception basis, approved by the cognizant supervisor, and shall receive a building/area specific implementation orientation briefing prior to entering the building/area. This briefing shall include the pertinent requirements as established in the Armaments Center Infectious Disease Mitigation and Recovery Plan, the applicable COVID-19 Guidelines, the building/area specific requirements and any applicable higher level requirements such as the SecDef memorandums establishing face covering rules. The cognizant supervisor will retain records of all visitors in case contact tracing is required.

The cognizant supervisor will be notified immediately if anyone in the building/area is not following the building/area risk mitigation procedures.

B. DAILY ASSESSMENT OF PERSONNEL:

All CCDC Armaments Center employees shall perform the following self-assessment on a daily basis prior to departing home:

1) Do I feel unhealthy or not well?

2) Do I have symptoms that are common in those infected by the current disease threat?

(Examples of general symptoms include: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose).

3) In the last 14 days have you and/or anyone you have been in close contact with (i.e., within six feet of or having spent long periods of time working in relatively close proximity to in a common workspace), been diagnosed with, may be infected by, are at high risk of becoming infected and/or are considered persons under investigation for the current disease threat pathogen?

(Examples include but are not limited to: an individual who resides with you that is employed as a health care worker or first responder, an individual who resides with you that has had a close contact with a person who is later found to have the disease, or a social gathering for which individuals are later found to have the disease threat pathogen).

If the answer to any of the above is “yes”, employees are required to stay home and have a conversation with their supervisor to determine the required next steps.

C. HAND WASHING:

While at work, hands shall be washed regularly throughout the day with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol may be used. Generally, it is not recommended that gloves be worn through the course of normal work, except where required by governing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or Internal Operating Procedures (IOPs) and/or heightened exposure to chemicals. While the wearing of gloves throughout the workday is not recommended because virus spread can be increased if it becomes a substitute for periodic hand washing, there are scenarios in which wearing gloves can be effective provided they are taken off and on properly, used only in cases where it is not practical to wash or sanitize hands frequently enough, and they are discarded properly or stored properly.

D. SOCIAL DISTANCING:

Personnel will utilize social distancing when on-post to the fullest extent possible. Guidelines are provided below:

E. USE OF TELEWORK:

Telework will be utilized as an important technique to support social distancing in accordance with Army telework guidelines. Telework agreements will be worked out between the supervisor and the employee. While the CCDC Armaments Center Infectious Disease Mitigation and Recovery Plan is in effect, supervisors shall use telework as the preferred mode of work for all efforts unless the work requires presence on-post to be completed.

• Maintain more than six feet of space between others.

• Wear a face covering in accordance with CCDC AC Directives and CDC Guidance.

• Will not engage in hand shaking.

• Avoid touching other people or common surfaces.

• Before and after use, wipe down common areas and items with diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, or common EPA-registered household disinfectants.

• Avoid meetings and gatherings

• When coughing/sneezing cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or a flexed elbow then wash hands.

• Maintain situational awareness of the people in your vicinity.

• Maintain as large a distance as practically possible from any individual not wearing a face covering.

• Minimize the amount of time spent talking to or working in close proximity to any other employee, especially if that person is not wearing a face covering.

F. FACE COVERINGS:

The Department of Defense Guidance on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings memo dated 5 April 2020, requires personnel to wear a protective cloth face covering whenever they cannot maintain social distancing of six feet from other employees in public areas or their work centers. The DoD Guidance also requires protective face coverings to be worn at all times when in common areas (e.g., post entrances, building entrances, hallways, bathrooms, etc.) and when using or in close proximity (less than six feet) of common equipment (equipment used by multiple people). In order to further protect the health and safety of every employee in the Armaments Center from the spread of COVID-19, the Armaments Center leadership has decided to require face coverings to be worn at all times while indoors. The only exceptions are for eating, drinking or when required higher level personal protective equipment (PPE) prevents use of a face covering. This face covering guideline is expected to be revised by addendum or change notice in the future based upon changes in higher level guidance and/or changes in health threat conditions in the applicable region(s). CCDC Armaments Center will supply face coverings for all employees and on-site contractors performing work on-post.

General Face Coverings Guidelines:

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

• Be secured with ties or ear loops

• Allow for breathing without restriction.

• Be laundered daily (if applicable), replaced, properly disinfected, or stored over a sufficient period (1 week or more recommended) to self-sterilize.

• Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after removing.

During operations, employees shall follow the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with approved SOPs. If the designated PPE does not include wearing a government-provided face shield or respirator, then continued use of the face covering is required in accordance with the above-mentioned policy.

If employees have a medical condition or any other reason that prohibits them from wearing a protective face covering, they may not enter the building/area but rather they should remain in telework status and request a reasonable accommodation (RA) by contacting their supervisor and the EEO office to begin the RA process.

The wearing of protective face coverings is not only for the health and safety of the individual, but also for the health and safety of fellow personnel. For this reason, any personnel who fail to wear a protective face covering when required, will be told to put a face covering on. Then if that person still refuses to put on their face covering, they will be directed to leave the area and may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of administrative rules or regulations where safety to persons or property is endangered.

G. BUILDING OCCUPANCY:

Until a decision to do otherwise, telework will remain the preferred mode of work unless work tasks require an employee’s presence on-post. As such, supervisors shall minimize on-site occupancy to the maximum extent possible. To do so, supervisors shall analyze work efforts to ensure only priority activities that require post access are requested. For those employees approved for access, supervisors shall establish a seating plan that will maximize the social distancing between employees with a minimum of 6 feet of separation distance.

Building/Area occupancy may occur only after a Risk Mitigation Implementation Readiness Review has been successfully conducted for the building/areas chaired by the affected Competency Director(s)/Office Chief(s) and the Risk Management Office. Once successfully completed, the affected Center Executive Director(s) will be notified and will make the final decision to allow personnel to return to the building/area to conduct work. All access prior requires the explicit individual approval by the appropriate Center Executive Director. This includes access for the person(s) charged with implementing the physical mitigations included in a buildings implementation approach (e.g. hanging signs, installing direction markers, etc).

When the number of employees requiring access to an area is such that 6 feet of spacing is not practical, rearrangement of desk seating or establishing a weekly cohort based schedule is recommended. For these purposes, a cohort is defined as a group of employees that work on-site in the same building area. For example, a recommended implementation of cohorts for office space type buildings with cubicle work areas where four (4) people per cubicle space would be the use of a 4 week rotating cycle of occupancy where each of four cohorts may work on site for one week per 4 week cycle is strongly recommended unless an alternate approach is required for mission reasons and is approved by the affected Center Executive Director(s). Whether 2, 3 or 4 cohorts, such a schedule allows for a weekend between groups thereby reducing the risk of transmission between groups and simplifying tracing efforts, should they be required. The risk mitigation provided by this schedule may be further enhanced if employees are encouraged to observe an SDO or telework on the Friday of their on-site work week. This extends the unoccupied period of the building to greater than 72 hours and further reduces the risk of transmission between groups working sequential weeks. For other office or laboratory configurations, supervisors are encouraged to apply the same thought process in establishment of cohort based schedules in order to maximize separation of employees.

NOTE: In any such schedule, the rotating work schedule would represent the maximum allowed on-post attendance.

H. BATHROOMS/SHOWERS/LOCKER ROOMS:

All bathrooms, showers, changing rooms or equivalent spaces shall be restricted to single-use only.

Employees shall observe at least a 30 second “settling” period after someone exits the bathroom, before entering. Each bathroom will be outfitted with a hands-free “occupied” sign. Ideally, each bathroom door will be able to be opened and closed without use of hands. If this is not the case, a sanitizer station or wipes shall be provided immediately outside the bathroom. All hand-drying appliances that blow air shall be disconnected or disabled. A cleaning frequency of once a day is recommended but is dependent upon building occupancy. Employees are required to wear face covering at all times while in bathrooms, and shall refrain from activities (such as brushing of teeth) that require the face covering to be removed.

I. KITCHENS AND BREAK ROOMS:

All kitchens and break rooms shall be closed. If there is a critical safety need for access to a sink or appliance within a kitchen or break room to remain accessible (e.g., access to water for outside workers to avoid dehydration, need of the sink for hand washing, refrigeration of medication, etc.), restrictions regarding use to ensure proper social distancing, disinfection of common items and high touch surfaces shall be implemented prior to a waiver being approved. In all cases, eating and/or socializing in kitchens and break rooms shall be prohibited and no waivers of this requirement will be considered.

J. FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS & CONFERENCE ROOMS:

Face-to-face meetings shall be utilized only if there are no other practical methods to conduct the meeting. Every effort shall be made to hold meetings using teleconferencing or computer virtual meeting assets. Meeting sites which provide the maximum social distancing shall be explored when necessary as well as possible outdoor venues to take advantage of the inherent advantage they provide in dissipating viral particles.

All conference rooms shall be closed unless a mission essential requirement (e.g., critical VTC capability) has been associated with their use and approved through the waiver process. If open, conference rooms shall establish occupancy to maintain social distancing provisions and occupancy shall be no more than ten (10) people maximum. Occupancy restrictions shall be posted in each conference room. Employees are required to wear face covering at all times while in conference rooms. Common surfaces to include conference room tables, chairs, computer equipment used and light switches shall be cleaned before and after use of the conference room with a disinfecting wipe or spray by the individual(s) using the conference room. Use of conference rooms by more than one person at a time will be kept to a duration of 30 minutes or less.

K. COMMON EQUIPMENT/SURFACES:

Avoid the use of other people’s phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. Common surfaces may include doorknobs, light switches, computers, printers, phones, tables, industrial equipment, laboratory equipment, etc. Common equipment/surfaces used by multiple people will be cleaned before and after each use with a disinfecting wipe or solution by the individual who touched the common surface. Reminders to do so should be posted in each identified case. When choosing cleaning chemicals, consult information on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved disinfectant labels with claims against emerging viral pathogens. Wipes or spray should be placed in a location available immediately adjacent to each item or group of items/surfaces to the fullest extent possible.

L. PERSONAL ITEMS:

Use of personal items that circulate air are prohibited; including but not limited to space heaters, fans, and diffusers.

M. FANS AND DUCTLESS HEATING/COOLING SYSTEMS:

Use of fans or split ductless heating/air conditioning (AC) systems shall be suspended (and disabled if possible) to prevent unintended airborne travel of the virus. When ductless systems provide the only means of temperature control in an area, a waiver may be approved for use after consultation with the Industrial Hygienist.

N. CONTROL OF FOOT TRAFFIC AND PERSONS IN TRANSIT:

A plan for control of foot traffic that reduces the potential for inadvertent challenges to maintaining social distancing shall be in place. Where possible hallways shall be established as one way traffic.

When this is not possible (e.g. in dead-end halls, lack of handicap access, etc), signs should be used to establish right of way. In areas where lines may form (e.g. entry points, bathrooms), markings are recommended to aid in retaining 6 feet separation while in line. Elevator use shall be limited to one person at a time, wiping buttons with a disinfecting wipe before and after use; if possible, consider using the stairs rather than the elevator.

O. BUILDING SIGNAGE:

A sign will be placed on all building personnel access door(s) of occupied buildings indicating that the CCDC Armaments Center is operating under special procedures due to COVID-19 threat.

Additionally, signs shall also be used to mark closed areas, provide visual cues and reminders of new practices, and control traffic flow to enable six feet spacing in hallways and other areas. The use of standardized signs is recommended to encourage commonality across facilities. Supervisors and building managers may revise such signs to address unique circumstances. Examples are provided at https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/CommunicationsToolkit.aspx.

P. ACCEPTANCE OF DELIVERIES:

All deliveries will be placed in a suitable area where they can stay in place for a minimum of 24 hours, or disinfected through an approved means if required sooner. If prior handling of the delivery included disinfection or achieved the required waiting period, the item(s) will be labeled as such using a marker or by other means so as to inform the recipient.

Q. GOVERNMENT VEHICLES AND MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT (MHE):

Prior to use of any Government vehicle or MHE the operator will disinfect the handles, steering wheels and controls (as applicable) with a disinfecting wipe. These surfaces shall be cleaned again after use. Only one person shall be in a Government vehicle at a time unless granted a waiver.

5. GUIDELINE CHANGES, WAIVER PROCESS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:

Changes to these COVID-19 Guidelines are expected over time and may be accomplished through entire revision or changing of specific provisions through addendum or change notice based upon new information regarding: (a) the infectious disease and how it is transmitted, (b) pandemic conditions within the community, (c) risk mitigation lessons learned (d) impacts on mission effectiveness. Changes to these COVID-19 Guidelines will be approved by the CCDC Armaments Center Director and Center Executive Directors.

Waivers to any provisions of these COVID-19 guidelines in a particular building or area are to be submitted through the Chain of Command and the CCDC Armaments Center Risk Management Office to the Center Executive Director(s) of the affected Center(s). If a building is occupied by organizations of more than one Center, all the affected Center Executive Directors must approve or the waiver will not be approved. A waiver form is provided for use on the Armaments Center COVID-19 website.

All waivers shall detail the approach employed to provide equivalent or better risk mitigations as compared to the standard being waived. When deemed a better practice, the approving Center shall inform the RMO of this approach and it shall be considered for incorporation in these Armaments Center Guidelines or applicable templates and/or training materials.

6. REFERENCES:

• CCDC Armaments Center COVID-19 Information:

https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/Main.aspx.

• CCDC Armaments Center Infectious Disease Mitigation and Recovery Plan:

https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/InfectiousDiseaseMitigationandRecoveryPlan.as px

• American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA®) Reopening Guidance for General Office Settings:

https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/InfectiousDiseaseMitigationandRecoveryPlan.as px

• OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19:

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

• OSHA COVID-19 Control and Prevention:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html

• CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#protect

• DOD Policy on face coverings:

https://media.defense.gov/2020/Apr/05/2002275059/-1/-1/1/DOD-GUIDANCE-ON-THE-USE-

OF-CLOTH-FACE-COVERINGS.PDF

• CDC guidance on disinfecting buildings:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html

• EPA guidance on disinfectants/cleaners:

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

The proponent of the COVID-19 Guidelines is the Director, Armaments Center, ATTN: FCDD-ACD-RM, Risk Management Office, Building 355 https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/Main.aspx https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/InfectiousDiseaseMitigationandRecoveryPlan.aspx https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/InfectiousDiseaseMitigationandRecoveryPlan.aspx https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/InfectiousDiseaseMitigationandRecoveryPlan.aspx https://ardec.aep.army.mil/sites/RMO/SitePages/InfectiousDiseaseMitigationandRecoveryPlan.aspx https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#protect https://media.defense.gov/2020/Apr/05/2002275059/-1/-1/1/DOD-GUIDANCE-ON-THE-USE-OF-CLOTH-FACE-COVERINGS.PDF https://media.defense.gov/2020/Apr/05/2002275059/-1/-1/1/DOD-GUIDANCE-ON-THE-USE-OF-CLOTH-FACE-COVERINGS.PDF https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

CONCURRENCES:

APPROVAL:

22 May 2020

Industrial Hygiene Office CALVIN.CHRISTA.J.1 228888784

Digitally signed by

CALVIN.CHRISTA.J.1228888784

Date: 2020.05.26 06:55:16 -04'00'

Public Health Emergency Officer BILELLO.JAMES.F.12 28707380

Digitally signed by

BILELLO.JAMES.F.1228707380

Date: 2020.05.23 12:14:53 -04'00'

Executive Director, Munitions Engineering Technology Center

CASTELLANO.DAVID

.R.1228851716

Digitally signed by

CASTELLANO.DAVID.R.1228851716

Date: 2020.05.26 16:26:01 -04'00'

Executive Director, Enterprise Systems Integration Center

SEBASTO.ANTHONY

.J.1228894415

Digitally signed by

SEBASTO.ANTHONY.J.1228894415

Date: 2020.05.27 10:48:23 -04'00'

Executive Director, Weapons Systems & Software Engineering Center

PERAZZO.CYNTHIA.

L.1228803207

Digitally signed by

PERAZZO.CYNTHIA.L.1228803207

Date: 2020.05.27 11:07:28 -04'00'

Director, Armaments Center Digitally signed by

HEDDERICH.JOHN.F.III.1228856335

Date: 2020.05.27 15:54:54 -04'00'

Chief, Risk Management Office Digitally signed by

TAYLOR.LARRY.COLLIER.1062952772

Date: 2020.05.26 07:07:19 -04'00'