Identification of Key Elements for Compliance of the IMO Polar Code Requirement of Minimum 5 Days Survival Time

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Espen Solberg ◽  
Endre Barane ◽  
Ove Tobias Gudmestad
Keyword(s):  
Survival Time ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Maritime Industry ◽  
Norwegian Coast ◽  
Polar Code

IMO has developed the functionally based Polar Code, which entered into force 01.01.2017. The code requires marine operators to provide lifesaving equipment that ensures a minimum of 5 days survival time. This requirement puts additional strain on the existing life-saving appliances. To identify the key elements for compliance of the IMO Polar Code, a full-scale exercise (SARex, (April 2016)) was initiated and organized by University of Stavanger, the Norwegian Coast Guard and GMC Maritime. The object of the SARex full scale exercise was to identify the gaps between the functionality provided by existing SOLAS approved safety equipment and the functionality required by the Polar Code. The exercise was conducted with the help of the vessel KV Svalbard (Norwegian Coast Guard), and participated by leading experts from industry, governmental organizations and academia. The following topics were specifically addressed in the exercise that took place in the marginal ice zone of the coast of Svalbard late April 2016: 1. Functionality of survival craft and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) polar conditions. 2. Coast Guard’s search and rescue procedures, including handling of mass evacuations in Polar Regions. 3. Functionality of Personal/Group survival gear according to the requirements defined in the IMO Polar Code. Survival for 5 days according to the requirements defined in the IMO Polar Code in a life raft represents a large challenge with regard to design of rescue craft, design of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), rations and on-board organization. As the IMO Polar Code is functional based, a holistic approach has to be utilized when assessing the survival chain. For an assessment of the survival chain to be conducted in a sustainable manner, key elements essential for survival in a life raft have to be identified and prioritized. Designing a survival chain applicable to maritime industry also involves considering commercial, economic and operational restrictions. The paper will elaborate on the key elements essential for a minimum of 5 days survival in a life raft based on the findings identified in the Phase 1, Functionality of survival craft and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) polar conditions, of the SARex exercise. The findings will be assessed and evaluated based on industry limitations.

scholarly journals The effects of COVID-19 litter on animal life

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Auke-Florian Hiemstra ◽  
Liselotte Rambonnet ◽  
Barbara Gravendeel ◽  
Menno Schilthuizen
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Animal Life ◽  
Link Type ◽  
First Case ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Nesting Material

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is massively used, resulting in a new wave of litter: protective face masks and gloves. Here we present the first case of a fish entrapped in a medical glove, encountered during a canal clean-up in Leiden, The Netherlands. We also report the first cases of birds using medical face masks as nesting material, which were also found in the Dutch canals. To place these new findings in context, we collected online reported interactions of animals with PPE litter, since the start of the pandemic. This resulted in the first overview of cases of entanglement, entrapment and ingestion of COVID-19 litter by animals and the use of it as nesting material. We signal COVID-19 litter as a new threat to animal life as the materials designed to keep us safe are actually harming animals around us. To understand the full scale of this problem, we welcome anyone to contribute to our overview by submitting their observations online at www.covidlitter.com. To further prevent PPE litter, it is recommended that, when possible, reusable alternatives are used.

Impact of COVID-19 on Nuclear Medicine in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: An International Survey in April 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (04) ◽  
pp. 294-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lutz S. Freudenberg ◽  
Ulf Dittmer ◽  
Ken Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Public Versus Private ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Preparations of health systems to accommodate large number of severely ill COVID-19 patients in March/April 2020 has a significant impact on nuclear medicine departments. Materials and Methods A web-based questionnaire was designed to differentiate the impact of the pandemic on inpatient and outpatient nuclear medicine operations and on public versus private health systems, respectively. Questions were addressing the following issues: impact on nuclear medicine diagnostics and therapy, use of recommendations, personal protective equipment, and organizational adaptations. The survey was available for 6 days and closed on April 20, 2020. Results 113 complete responses were recorded. Nearly all participants (97 %) report a decline of nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures. The mean reduction in the last three weeks for PET/CT, scintigraphies of bone, myocardium, lung thyroid, sentinel lymph-node are –14.4 %, –47.2 %, –47.5 %, –40.7 %, –58.4 %, and –25.2 % respectively. Furthermore, 76 % of the participants report a reduction in therapies especially for benign thyroid disease (-41.8 %) and radiosynoviorthesis (–53.8 %) while tumor therapies remained mainly stable. 48 % of the participants report a shortage of personal protective equipment. Conclusions Nuclear medicine services are notably reduced 3 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic reached Germany, Austria and Switzerland on a large scale. We must be aware that the current crisis will also have a significant economic impact on the healthcare system. As the survey cannot adapt to daily dynamic changes in priorities, it serves as a first snapshot requiring follow-up studies and comparisons with other countries and regions.

Infectious safety of nursing staff in departments (offices) functional diagnostics in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-33
Author(s):  
E. V. Panina ◽  
M. V. Pugachev ◽  
A. G. Shchesiu
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Medical Waste ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Functional Diagnostics ◽  
Prevention Of Infections ◽  
Epidemiological Situation

The article shows that in the daily activities of nursing staff of functional diagnostics departments (offices), it is necessary to strictly observe the requirements and rules for the prevention of infections associated with medical care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The types of personal protective equipment (PPE) of medical personnel (MP), as well as current effective methods of disinfection, rules for collecting medical waste in a complex epidemiological situation are presented.

Recomendações de equipamentos de proteção individual no combate ao COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (31) ◽  
pp. 87-95
Author(s):  
Nicole Maria Miyamoto Bettini ◽  
Fabiana Tomé Ramos ◽  
Priscila Masquetto Vieira de Almeida
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
World Health ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Effective Strategy ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

A Organização Mundial da Saúde - OMS confirmou a circulação internacional do novo Coronavírus em janeiro de 2020, nomeando-o como COVID-19 e, declarando uma pandemia. É de extrema importância que durante a pandemia, os profissionais de saúde tenham acesso e conhecimento sobre o uso correto dos Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (EPIs) e suas indicações, tomando assim, as devidas precauções na prevenção de infecções. O presente estudo buscou identificar a padronização mundial quanto ao uso dos EPIs utilizados no atendimento a pacientes suspeitos e/ou confirmados de COVID-19 no Brasil, EUA, China, Espanha, Itália e demais países europeus. Os guidelines apresentam a padronização quanto ao uso dos EPIs utilizados no atendimento a suspeitos e/ou confirmados de COVID-19, indo ao encontro das recomendações fornecidas pela OMS. Até o momento, o uso de EPIs é sem dúvida a estratégia mais importante e eficaz para proteger os profissionais de saúde durante a assistência ao paciente com COVID-19.Descritores: Infecções por Coronavírus, Equipamento de Proteção Individual, Pessoal de Saúde, Enfermagem. Recommendations for personal protective equipment to combat COVID-19Abstract: The World Health Organization - WHO confirmed the international circulation of the new Coronavirus in January 2020, naming it as COVID-19 and declaring a pandemic. It is extremely important that during the pandemic, health professionals have access and knowledge about the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and its indications, thus taking appropriate precautions to prevent infections. The present study sought to identify the worldwide standardization regarding the use of PPE utilized to take care of suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19 in Brazil, USA, China, Spain, Italy and other European countries. The guidelines present a standardization regarding the use of PPE utilized to take care of suspected and confirmed with COVID-19, in line with the recommendations provided by WHO. To date, the use of PPE is undoubtedly the most important and effective strategy to protect healthcare professionals during care for patients with COVID-19.Descriptors: Coronavirus Infections, Personal Protective Equipment, Health Personnel, Nursing. Recomendaciones para el equipo de protección personal para combatir COVID-19Resumen: La Organización Mundial de la Salud - La OMS confirmó la circulación internacional del nuevo Coronavirus en enero de 2020, nombrándolo COVID-19 y declarando una pandemia. Es extremadamente importante que durante la pandemia, los profesionales de la salud tengan acceso y conocimiento sobre el uso correcto del Equipo de Protección Personal (EPP) y sus indicaciones, tomando así las precauciones adecuadas para prevenir infecciones. El presente estudio buscó identificar la estandarización mundial con respecto al uso de EPP utilizado para atender a pacientes sospechosos y/o confirmados con COVID-19 en Brasil, Estados Unidos, China, España, Italia y otros países europeos. Las pautas presentan la estandarización con respecto al uso de EPP utilizado para cuidar COVID-19 sospechoso y/o confirmado, de acuerdo con las recomendaciones proporcionadas por la OMS. Hasta la fecha, el uso de EPP es, sin duda, la estrategia más importante y efectiva para proteger a los profesionales de la salud durante la atención de pacientes con COVID-19.Descriptores: Infecciones por Coronavirus, Equipo de Protección Personal, Personal de Salud, Enfermería.

New requirements for power frequency electric field and induced current personal protective equipment

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 849-852
Author(s):  
Sergey Yu. Perov ◽  
Tatyana A. Konshina ◽  
Elena N. Makarova-Zemlyanskaya
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Step Voltage ◽  
Power Frequency ◽  
Staff Protection ◽  
Frequency Electric Field

In conditions of exceeding the maximum permissible levels of power frequency electric field, the staff must use personal protective equipment. Requirements for such means are regulated by the system of occupational safety standards. The goal of this work is analyzed new requirements for power frequency and induced personal protective equipment in the regulatory interstate standards GOST 12.4.172 and GOST 12.4.283. The personal protective equipment new requirements for various types of work are substantiated to electrical personnel health safety during the maintenance and operation of power grid facilities. Increasing requirements for personal protective equipment improves the staff protection at ground potential and at wire potential, including in emergency situations such as induced and step voltage.

Application of the ergospirometry method for physiological evaluation of the effectiveness of personal protective equipment

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 753-755
Author(s):  
Andrey M. Geregey ◽  
Evgeny S. Shuporin ◽  
Ivan V. Fateev
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Professional Activity ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cardiorespiratory System ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Physiological Assessment ◽  
Individual Protection ◽  
Physiological Evaluation ◽  
Field And Laboratory Conditions

Today, there are personal protective equipment, which due to their weight and size characteristics and design features can aggravate professional activity. This is characterized by an increase in the load on several major systems of the employee's body, including the cardiorespiratory system, which can cause the development of occupational pathology. The study of the functions of the cardiorespiratory system of humans in the process of his work is an important task in biomedical tests such as PPE, aggravating their professional activities and future means of individual protection from heavy labor and industrial exoskeletons. The aim of the study is to determine the possibility of using ergospirometry for the physiological assessment of personal protective equipment and industrial exoskeletons. Main part. In medical practice and high-performance sports, ergospirometry is considered the "gold standard" for functional assessment of the cardiorespiratory system. There are very few studies showing the use of ergospirometry for the purpose of physiological assessment of personal protective equipment. Results of research works in which ergospirometry was used in medicine, sports, as well as on the physiological and hygienic assessment of combat equipment, various types of personal protective equipment, including new promising personal protective equipment of the musculoskeletal system-industrial exoskeletons. The use of ergospirometry made it possible to register the main indicators of the human cardiorespiratory system both in field and laboratory conditions and allowed forming an objective conclusion about the dynamics of the degree of stress of the human cardiorespiratory system when using personal protective equipment and industrial exoskeletons with various weight and size characteristics. Thus, the use of ergospirometry both in isolation and in combination with other methods allows us to solve problems related to biomedical testing of personal protective equipment and industrial exoskeletons.

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