New NIOSH Study Examines Work-Related COVID-19 Exposure and Resources to Protect Workers in Puerto Rico

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently announced a new study conducted by the agency. The study examined the differences in exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 among people who worked outside of the home in non-healthcare settings.

NIOSH researchers partnered with six states to collect information about workers who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between September 2020 and June 2021. The study found the following:

• Of the 1,111 survey respondents, 19.4% reported exposure to COVID-19 at work, 23.4% reported exposure outside of work only, and 57.2% reported no known exposure or did not know where they were exposed.
• Almost half (48.8%) of respondents who worked in protective service occupations, which includes police officers, firefighters, correctional officers and security guards, reported being exposed to COVID-19 at work.
• More than one-third (33.7%) of respondents who experienced close contact with more than 10 coworkers and 28.8% of respondents who experienced close contact with more than 10 customers or clients per day reported being exposed to COVID-19 at work.

“This study indicates exposure to COVID-19 is common on the job, and is a reminder of the importance of infection control programs and optimizing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) to create healthy workplaces,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “In Puerto Rico and across the region, the infection control and IEQ professionals at Zimmetry have been helping businesses and institutions protect their workers and customers for the past 20 years. Our experts provide building and ventilation system assessments, workplace inspections, 3^rd party confirmation of cleaning and disinfection protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE) consulting and training, and air and surface testing for a wide range of environmental pathogens.”

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene and environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

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