On September 3, the Biden Administration released a plan for “transforming U.S. capabilities to prepare for and respond rapidly and effectively to future pandemics and other high consequence biological threats.” This plan is an element of the larger strategy to bolster and resource pandemic readiness and biodefense, as directed by President Biden in January. “For … Read More
Hundreds of thousands of fake respirators have been seized since the onset of the global pandemic, opening the eyes of media, government and health, and safety pros. With hospitals (nearly) falling victim to these scams, how can safety pros avoid them? 1. Consider the full range of approved solutions, including reusable respirators. The tight supply … Read More
We – as an industry, and as a nation – owed it to our healthcare workers to do something different, to improve their working conditions and their respiratory protection… Stephen Bird Director of Marketing Bullard The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was diagnosed in January 2020. Now, nearly two years later, … Read More
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is expanding its diversity and inclusivity efforts, seeking insights and data about the PPE needs and use for at-risk workers. On June 24, NIOSH issued a request for information on the “Needs and Challenges in PPE Use for Underserved User Populations.” Information submitted will inform the … Read More
ISEA has joined together with the American Mask Manufacturers Association (AMMA) to request the FDA revoke emergency use authorizations (EAUs) for disposable respirator decontamination and reuse and for use of imported non-NIOSH-approved respirators. In a June 14 joint letter to Interim FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock, ISEA and AMMA note, “FDA’s recent announcements, on April … Read More
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) this week announced additional exemptions from a temporary final rule published in the Federal Register last year. This new notification applies beginning on June 11, 2021. The new Federal Register notice lifts restrictions on certain exports of medical devices, including N95 respirators. However, surgical N95s are still under export … Read More
Cases of COVID-19 in the United States have dropped significantly in the last few weeks, and 64% of Americans have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. As a result, American workers are getting back to work and back on the road. And, many industry events that were postponed or held virtually … Read More
ISEA held a dynamic media roundtable on December 10, 2020, which brought reporters together with ISEA leadership and representatives from 3M, DuPont, Moldex and MSA Americas, to spotlight the industry’s capacity to respond to surging PPE demand as the COVID-19 infection rate continues to increase — as well as to focus on ISEA’s efforts to … Read More
Since early 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has called on Americans to wear cloth face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. Since then, research has continued to affirm that masks are a critical tool in the fight against the virus, helping to prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading it to others. … Read More
Last week, President-elect Joe Biden debuted the Biden-Harris transition platform. The seven-point plan outlines Biden’s COVID-19 strategy, which includes a section on personal protective equipment (PPE). The plan states that his administration will give “states, cities, tribes, and territories the critical supplies they need.” Biden plans to use the Defense Production Act (DPA) to increase … Read More
Dan Glucksman ISEA Director of Government Affairs The bill brings rationality and commonsense to pandemic and public health emergency planning… Our supply chains for #COVID19 response resources are still not where they need to be. Today I introduced a comprehensive plan to bolster America’s PPE manufacturing: The MAKE PPE Act is a path to making and … Read More
