As we all know Covid 19 has affected almost every corner of the globe. It’s been a very active year for everyone because of the pandemic. Our IIAR staff worked very hard to pull off, among other things a very successful industryfirst all-natural refrigerant virtual conference. Our committees have also been very active despite meetings that are now, of course, conducted remotely.

Our industry has its own special challenges to stay in operation and keep everyone safe. How do I stay compliant with Process Safety Management? How do I conduct an audit if I can’t go to the site? What types of equipment do I use? How often and how do we best clean our facilities? How do we keep the air safe? Every day there are new questions.

The Board of Directors and the Executive Committee decided to create a task force to try and address questions that impact our industry as they come up. In other words, all of our members are impacted somehow. For example, how will air handling equipment will be built and installed? How can Process Safety Management programs be managed with C19? The way building HVAC systems are operated. The way we travel. How do we receive training? The list goes on and on. Topics covered by the new Covid 19 webpage offer information to the questions that apply to manufacturers, contractors, consultants, academics, and especially end-users.

I am very happy to be part of the task force group that includes Jeff Carter, Jenna Emmons, Eric Johnston, Lowell Randall(staff), Eileen McKeown(staff), Jeremy Klysen, Jacqueline Kirkman, and Gary Schrift. The task force developed a webpage that has the following categories; Regulatory Information, Best Practices, Technology, and People Management. Please take a look at the www.iiar.org website.

The webpage will be updated as new information becomes available. We also have had content contributions and links sent in from Keith Hazzard and Peter Jordan which are greatly appreciated. If you have suggestions, find information that is not on the page, or have updates that might help fellow IIAR members, please pass it along through the suggestion form, we’re all in this together. The suggestion form is located at the bottom of the page. https://www.iiar.org/IIAR/COVID19/ IIAR/About_Us/Coronavirus_Information.aspx?hkey=814de566-0345-4b5e84b9-a637dbc88e84

We are also planning on a webinar in early December where you can ask some of the committee members and others about their experiences.

The links and information are for your reference and can be used as a tool to aid in establishing your companies or facility’s policies and procedures.

All things will pass and I really am looking forward to seeing you in Palm Springs June 20-23, 2021. It will be a big step in getting back to normal. I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday season.