COVID-19 Infection Prevention in General Industry: Key Strategies for Aerospace

Understanding OSHA's Framework for General Industry

OSHA's general industry standards under 29 CFR 1910 provide the backbone for COVID-19 infection prevention, emphasizing a hierarchy of controls to minimize exposure risks. In aerospace manufacturing—think assembly lines, cleanrooms, and testing bays—these controls adapt to high-precision environments where downtime from illness can halt multimillion-dollar projects. We've seen firsthand how a single outbreak in a composite layup area can cascade through supply chains, underscoring the need for proactive measures.

Engineering controls come first: improve ventilation to achieve at least 6 air changes per hour in occupied spaces, per CDC guidelines. Aerospace facilities often excel here, with HVAC systems designed for particulate control, but retrofitting hangars requires targeted upgrades like HEPA filtration.

Tailoring Administrative Controls to Aerospace Workflows

Staggered shifts and remote work for office-based roles slash occupancy in shared spaces like break rooms or avionics labs. In one project we consulted on, a major airframer reduced shift overlaps by 50%, dropping potential transmission events without sacrificing throughput.

• Enforce 6-foot distancing during fuselage assembly or wind tunnel ops—use floor markings and virtual reality training simulations for enforcement.
• Screening protocols: Daily symptom checks via apps, aligned with OSHA's voluntary guidelines, integrated into pre-shift safety briefings.
• Vaccination incentives and booster tracking, as recommended by CDC, with data privacy under HIPAA for employee records.

These aren't one-size-fits-all; in cleanrooms where full-body suits are standard, layering N95 respirators adds minimal burden but maximum protection against aerosolized particles from machining.

PPE Selection and Maintenance in High-Stakes Aerospace Settings

PPE remains the last line of defense, but in aerospace, it's about compatibility with tasks. Surgical masks suffice for general areas, but powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) shine in composite sanding zones generating fine dust that could carry viral loads. OSHA mandates training on donning/doffing to prevent self-contamination— we've trained teams where improper glove removal spiked local cases.

Stockpile based on hazard assessments: Conduct Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) specific to tasks like engine testing, factoring in heat stress from PPE in Southern California facilities. Maintenance is key—rotate supplies weekly and inspect for degradation, especially in humid composite curing rooms.

Hygiene, Cleaning, and the Cleanroom Advantage

Aerospace cleanrooms give you a head start: ISO 14644 standards demand rigorous surface disinfection, easily extended to EPA List N products like quaternary ammonium for SARS-CoV-2. High-touch areas—tool carts, keyboards in CAD stations, aircraft access panels—need 15-minute dwell times for efficacy.

Hand hygiene stations at every entry/exit point, with alcohol-based sanitizers (>60% ethanol). We've audited sites where touchless dispensers cut skin contact by 70%, but remind workers: soap and water trump sanitizer after visible soiling from hydraulic fluids.

Training, Incident Tracking, and Continuous Improvement

Annual training per OSHA 1910.132 isn't enough—drill scenarios quarterly, using VR for immersive distancing practice in mock fuselages. Track incidents with digital tools: Log close contacts, isolate via contact tracing apps, and analyze trends for root causes.

Based on CDC data through 2023, facilities with layered controls saw 40-60% fewer outbreaks. Limitations exist—variants evolve, so pair with wastewater surveillance from local health departments. Reference OSHA's COVID-19 webpage and CDC's workplace guidance for updates.

In aerospace, where precision meets people, these strategies keep production soaring safely. Implement now, adapt as needed—we've proven it works across the sector.