Guidelines to Protect Workers Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)and Other Potential Infectious Materials (OPIM)in Plumbing and HVAC Systems

March 18, 2020

Updated March, 25, 2020

UNITED ASSOCIATION 3 Park Place, Annapolis MD 21401

PURPOSETO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF WORKERS PERFORMING WORK ON PLUMBING AND HVAC SYSTEMS

Section PageCoronavirus Exposure .......................................................................... 4-6 Understanding Coronavirus Exposure for the Mechanical Trades ...... 5 How do you get infected with COVID-19? .......................................... 5 What are the symptoms? ................................................................... 6 Can it be spread through drinking water? .......................................... 6 Can the virus spread through sanitary drain and vent systems? ........ 6Mechanical Tradespeople .................................................................. 7-10 How do mechanical tradespeople protect themselves? .................... 8 OSHA Standards ................................................................................. 8 PersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE)forWorkingonSanitary Drain and Sewer Systems ................................................................. 9 AdditionalBestPracticeRecommendationforPPE .......................... 10 PersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE)forWorkingNearPlumbing VentsandRooftopHVACEquipment,SpecificallyExhaustFans ..... 10 Procedures for Tool Cleaning ............................................................ 11Training for Workers ........................................................................ 12-13 CDCRecommendations .................................................................... 13 PracticeSocialDistancing ................................................................. 14Resources ........................................................................................ 15-16

TABLE OFCONTENTS

CORONAVIRUS EXPOSURE

SECTION

01

COVID-19 Guidelines for Worker Health in Plumbing and HVAC Systems 5

Understanding Coronavirus Exposure for the Mechanical TradesIt is important to understand that Coronavirus is a large family of viruses found in humans and animals. Coro-navirusesareresponsibleforupperrespiratoryinfections,whichrangefromacommoncoldtodeath.In2002-2003,anewanimalcoronaviruscalledSARS(severeacuterespiratorysyndrome)emergedinhumansinSouthernChinaandspreadthroughout29countiesaroundtheworld.Atotalof8,098individualswereinfect-ed,resultingin774fatalities.In2019,apandemicoutbreakofanothercoronaviruswasdiscoveredinWuhan,China.ThisnewcoronavirusiscalledSARS-CoV-2whichcausesthediseaseknownasCOVID-19.Thisnewcoronavirus,SARS-CoV-2,isspread-ingmuchquickerthanthe2003SARSoutbreak.Todate,JohnsHopkinsreportsthatover190,000peopleworldwideareinfectedwithover7,500fatalities.Becausethisviruscanbeeasilytransmittedbetweenhu-mans,theWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)hasqualifiedthisvirusasapandemic.Allpredictionsarethatthispandemicisgoingtocontinuetospreadquickly.

How do you get infected with COVID-19?Thediseaseisspreadbycloseperson-to-personcontact.Itusuallyoccursfromacough,sneeze,orwhensome-oneexhales.Thisreleasesinfecteddropletsthatcangetintoanother’smouth,nose,orlungs.Mostofthesedropletsfallontonearbysurfacesandobjectslikedesks,tablesortelephones.PeoplecouldcatchCOVID-19bytouchingcontaminatedsurfacesorobjects–andthentouchingtheireyes,noseormouth.Itisunclearhowlongaviruscanremaincontagiouswhenexposedonasurface.COVID-19spreadsinawayliketheflu.

CORONAVIRUS EXPOSURE

COVID-19 Guidelines for Worker Health in Plumbing and HVAC Systems 6

What are the symptoms?MostinfectedwithCOVID-19experiencemildsymptomsandrecover.However,someexperiencemoreseriousillnessandmayrequirehospitalcare.Riskofseriousillnessriseswithage.Thosewhoareelderlyareatahigh-errisk.Peoplewithweakenedimmunesystemsandpeoplewithconditionssuchasdiabetes,heartandlungdiseasearealsomorevulnerabletoseriousillness.SymptomsofCOVID-19includefever,cough,orshortnessof breath.

Can it be spread through drinking water?AccordingtotheCDC,theSARS-CoV-2virushasnotbeendetectedindrinkingwater.Conventionalwatertreat-mentmethodsthatusefiltrationanddisinfectionshouldremoveorinactivatetheSARS-CoV-2virusthatcausesCOVID-19.

Can the virus spread through sanitary drain and vent systems?AccordingtotheCDC,theviruscan survive in human feces. How long it will survive and how contagious it remainsisunclear.TheChinesegovernmentidentifiedanoutbreakinasanitarydrainandventsysteminHongKong. The Hong Kong outbreak took place in a 30-story high-rise building. The sanitary drain and vent systems were“altered”whichresultedinopenventconnectionswithinthebuilding.Thebuildingwasevacuatedafternumerous COVID-19 cases were diagnosed.

“Therefore, for as long as the pandemic is still active, it should be assumed by anyone working on a sanitary drainage system that the virus is present.” (IAPMO, 3/11/2020)

CORONAVIRUS EXPOSURE

COVID-19 CAN SPREAD THROUGH SANITARY DRAINS

AND VENT SYSTEMS

SECTION

02MECHANICAL TRADESPEOPLE

COVID-19 Guidelines for Worker Health in Plumbing and HVAC Systems 8

MECHANICAL TRADESPEOPLE

How do mechanical tradespeople protect themselves?All plumbers and HVAC service technicians working on these systems are strongly recommended to wear personalprotectiveequipment(PPE)includingafullfaceshieldwornoversafetygoggles,impermeablegloves,andprotectiveclothing,becauseofthepotentialtocomeintocontactwithwaterandaerosolsthatcontainthecoronavirus when working on sanitary systems or sewers. Assume that everything inside that system is conta-gious.

OSHA StandardsFollowallOSHAStandard29CFR1926,SafetyandHealthRegulationsforConstructionandrelevant29CFR1910GeneralIndustryrequirements.Themostrelevantsubsectionstorevieware:

OSHASTANDARDS

1926.20 General safety and health provisions

1926.21 Safety training and education

1926.22 Recording and reporting of injuries

1926.23 First aid and medical attention

1926.28 Personal protective equipment

1926.50 Medical services and first aid

1926.95 Criteria for personal protective equipment

1926.102 Eye and face protection

1926.103 Respiratory protection

1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens

COVID-19 Guidelines for Worker Health in Plumbing and HVAC Systems 9

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Working on Sanitary Drain and Sewer SystemsMechanical tradespeople working on sanitary drain and sewer systems should be provided proper personal protectiveequipment(PPE),trainingonhowtoproperlyusethePPE,andhandwashingfacilities.Workersshouldwashhands,armsandface(inthatorder)withsoapandwaterforatleast20secondsimmediately after removing PPE. ThefollowingPPEisrecommendedforworkershandlinghumanwasteorsewage:

• Safety Goggles – To protect eyes from splashes of human waste or sewage.• Protective splash-proof face shield – To protect nose and mouth from splashes of human waste or

sewage.• Respiratory Protection–WearaNIOSH-approvedN95facemask.• Liquid-repellent coveralls(suchasTyvek)–Tokeephumanwasteorsewageoffskinandclothing• Rubber outer gloves – To prevent exposure to human waste or sewage.• Nitrile inner gloves – To prevent exposure when removing PPE and cleaning tools• Rubber boots – To prevent exposure to human waste or sewage.

MECHANICAL TRADESPEOPLE

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) FOR WORKING ON SANITARY DRAIN AND SEWER SYSTEMS

COVID-19 Guidelines for Worker Health in Plumbing and HVAC Systems 10

Additional Best Practice Recommendation for PPEWeartwoliquid-repellantprotectivesuits(outersuitandinnersuit)foradditionalprotectionduringcleaningoftoolsandequip-mentafterworkiscomplete.Aftercompletingwork,followthisprocedure:

• Carefully remove outer suit and glove by rolling inside out.

• Placeinaplasticbagthatcanbesealed.• Completecleaningoftoolsandequipment.Seeguide-

lines below. • Removeinnersuitandglovesbyrollinginsideoutbeing

careful to not come in contact with any contaminated surfaces.

• Washhands,armsandface(inthatorder)withsoapandwaterforatleast20secondsimmediatelyafterremovingPPE.

• Keep your PPE clean by following manufacturer instruc-tionscarefully.

Important Note Related to Healthcare Facilities:Ifworkinginahealthcarefacility,theInfectiousControlRiskAssessment(ICRA)Programforthefacilitymustbefollowedregardinganterooms,wearingandremovalofPPE,andcleaningoftools.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Working Near Plumbing Vents and Rooftop HVAC Equipment, Specifically Exhaust FansMechanicaltradespeopleworkingnearplumbingventsandrooftopHVACequipment,specificallyexhaustfans,shouldbeprovidedproperpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE),trainingonhowtoproperlyusethePPE,andhandwashingfacilities.Workersshouldwashhands,armsandface(inthatorder)withsoapandwaterforatleast 20 seconds immediately after removing PPE.

The following PPE is recommended for HVAC workers working nearplumbingventsandrooftopHVACequipment,specificallyexhaust fans.• Safety Glasses with Face Shield – To protect eyes and

mouth from aerosol transmission of the virus• Respiratory Protection – WearaNIOSH-approvedN95

facemaskorhalf-facerespiratorwithHEPAfilterstopro-tectfrominhalationofaerosoltransmission.

• Protective suits/coveralls (such as Tyvek) – To protect against aerosol transmission.

• Cut resistant outer gloves – To protect from cuts and tears to inner glove.

• Nitrile inner gloves (6 mil thickness or greater) – To preventexposuretoliquidsandwhenremovingPPEandcleaning tools.

• Disposable Booties – Topreventpotentialcontaminationof work boots.

MECHANICAL TRADESPEOPLE

COVID-19 Guidelines for Worker Health in Plumbing and HVAC Systems 11

MECHANICAL TRADESPEOPLE

Important Note Related to Electrical Safety for COVID-19 Only: Whenworkingonenergizedelectricalconduc-torsorcircuitparts,makesureyouareprotectedfirstfromarcflashandelectricalshockhazardsbycomply-ingwithNFPA70E-2018.UseallcompatibleprotectivemeasuresagainstCOVID-19,suchaswearinganN95facemask/respiratorunderyourarcflashfaceshieldandfollowingthroughonthehygienepracticesdescribedintheseguidelines.Oncetroubleshootingiscompleted,shutoffthepower,lockitout,testitdead,removeyourarcflashandelectricalshockPPE,anddontheappropriatePPEforprotectionagainstCOVID-19describedintheseguidelinesbeforecompletingyourwork. Important Note Related to Healthcare Facilities:Ifworkinginahealthcarefacility,theInfectiousControlRiskAssessment(ICRA)Programforthefacilitymustbefollowedregardinganterooms,wearingandremovalofPPE,andcleaningoftools.

Good work area and tool cleaning practices are also extremely important.

Avoid sharing of tools with coworkers to the greatest extent possible.

Look for cleaning agents effective against viral pathogens.

If cleaning agents are not available, use soap and water and dry tools thoroughly.

Use bleach solution by diluting 1 part household bleach with 10 parts water.

EPA’s (www.epa.gov) List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2

Procedures for Tool Cleaning

SECTION

03TRAINING FOR WORKERS

COVID-19 Guidelines for Worker Health in Plumbing and HVAC Systems 13

TRAINING FOR WORKERS

TRAINING FOR WORKERSAllworkerswhohandlehumanwasteorsewageshouldreceivetrainingondiseaseprevention.Thetrainingshouldincludeinformationonbasichygienepractices;useanddisposalofpersonalprotectiveequipment;andproperhandlingofhumanwasteorsewage.Workersmustalsobeurgedtopromptlyseekmedicalattentionifdisplayinganysignsorsymptomsofdiarrhea,suchasvomiting,stomachcrampsandwaterydiarrhea.ItisrecommendedthatplumbingworkersbetrainedandcertifiedtotheASSESeries12000.ASSEInterna-tional’sSeries12000Standard,Professional Qualifications Standard for Infection Control Risk Assessment for All Building Systems,isastandardthatsetsminimumcriteriaforthetrainingandcertificationofpipetradescraftspeople,andotherconstructionandmaintenancepersonnel,onhowtosafelyworkinanenvironmentwiththepotentiallydeadlydiseasesthatmaybepresentwithinworksites.(IAMPO,3/12/2020)ASSEInternationalismakingtheASSESeries12000Standardavailableforfreeathttps://asse-plumbing.org/12000-2018whilethepandemicremainsongoing.TheASSE12000certificationtrainingaddressesviruses,includingtheSevereAcuteRespiratorySyndrome(SARS)virus,butdoesnotspecificallyreferenceCOVID-19.

CDC RECOMMENDATIONS - www.coronavirus.gov

TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)recommendsthatworkersperformthefollow-ingpreventive/protectiveactions,generallyandwhileatwork:• Washhandsfrequentlywithsoapandwaterforatleast20secondsimmediatelyafterworkingon

a sanitary waste and vent system.• Avoidtouchingface,mouth,eyes,nose,oropensoresandcutswhileworkingonasanitarywaste

and vent system.• Afterworkingonasanitarywasteandventsystem,washhandswithsoapandwaterforatleast20

seconds before eatingordrinking.• Afterworkingonasanitarywasteandventsystem,washyourhandswithsoapandwaterforat

least 20 seconds before and after using the toilet.• Beforeeating,removesoiledworkclothesandeatindesignatedareasawayfromhumanwaste

andsewage-handlingactivities.• Do NOT smoke or chew tobacco or gum while working on a sanitary waste and vent system.• Keepopensores,cuts,andwoundscoveredwithclean,drybandages.• Gentlyflusheyeswithsafewaterifhumanwasteorsewagecontactseyes.• Use waterproof gloves to prevent cuts and contact with human waste or sewage.• Wear rubber boots.• Removerubberbootsandworkclothesbeforeleavingworksite.• Cleancontaminatedworkclothingdailywith0.05%chlorinesolution(1-parthouseholdbleachto

100partswater).• Cleananddisinfecttoolsandequipmentused.• Cleananddisinfecttheworkareafrequently.• Coveryourcoughand/orsneezewithyourbentelbow.• Do not report to work when you feel ill.• Reportanddocumentallexposures.• Ifyoustarttofeelill,informyoursupervisorimmediatelyanddocumenttheincidence.• CurrentlythereisnotavaccinationforCOVID-19butitisrecommendedthatallothervaccinations

be current.

COVID-19 Guidelines for Worker Health in Plumbing and HVAC Systems 14

Practice Social DistancingFinally,itisimportanttofollowsocialdistancingrecommendations.Trytokeepaminimumsix-footdistancebetweenothers.Remember,itcouldtakeanywherefrom2to14daysforCOVID-19symptomstoappear,ifthey even appear at all. Ifyoubelieveyouhavecontractedthevirus,stayhome,contactyoursupervisorandseekassistancefromyourmedical provider.

TRAINING FOR WORKERS

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING

KEEP A MINIMUM SIX-FOOT DISTANCE BETWEEN OTHERS. IT COULD TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 14 DAYS FOR COVID-19 SYMPTOMS TO APPEAR. IF YOU CONTRACTED THE VIRUS, STAY HOME, CONTACT YOUR SUPERVISOR AND SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER.

RESOURCES SECTION

04

COVID-19 Guidelines for Worker Health in Plumbing and HVAC Systems 16

Authors/Contributors:CherylAmbrose,CHST,OHST–Health,SafetyandEnvironmentalAdministrator,UnitedAssociationTomBigley–DirectorofPlumbing,UnitedAssociationBrianKelly–DirectorofHVACRServices,UnitedAssociationScottHamilton–AmericanSocietyofSanitaryEngineers,Member–UALocal75DennisMolnar–UAInstructor,InfectiousControlRiskAssessment,Member–UALocal172PeteChaney,MS,CSP–Director,HealthandSafety,MechanicalContractorsAssociationofAmerica(MCAA)

References:ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000 Professional Qualifications Standard for Infectious Control Risk Assessment for All Building Systems,AmericanSocietyofSanitaryEngineers/InternationalAssociationofPlumbingandMe-chanicalOfficials/AmericanNationalStandardsInstitute,Issued:September2018.“UnderstandingCoronavirusExposureforPlumbingProfessionals,”InternationalAssociationofPlumbingandMechanicalOfficials(IAPMO),March11,2020.“ASHRAEPositionDocumentonAirborneInfectiousDiseases,”AmericanSocietyofHeating,RefrigerationandAir-ConditioningEngineers,January19,2014,reaffirmedFebruary5,2020.“Coronavirus(COVID-19),”TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,https://www.cdc.gov/coronavi-rus/2019-ncov/index.htmlOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration,www.osha.gov

RESOURCES