Professional Qualifications Standard for the Health and Safety of Construction and Maintenance Personnel
Mokena, Ill. — ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000-2014, Professional Qualifications Standard for the Health and Safety of Construction and Maintenance Personnel, has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is now available for purchase.
To address the critical nature of bloodborne pathogens and other infectious diseases that play dangerous roles throughout the plumbing industry, ASSE International has developed the one-of-a-kind, voluntary consensus ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000, Professional Qualifications Standard for the Health and Safety of Construction and Maintenance Personnel. This unique standard series sets minimum criteria for the training and certification of pipe trades craftspeople, and other construction and maintenance personnel, on how to safely work in an environment with potentially deadly diseases. The Series 12000 addresses the need for all construction and maintenance personnel, especially within the pipe trades, to become proficient in identifying and managing potential situations where they may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens.
“Throughout its 100-year history, the goal of ASSE International has been to safeguard public health and safety through the use of proper plumbing, piping and mechanical practices,” said Series 12000 Working Group Chairman Edward J. Lyczko. “ASSE International’s most proficient method of achieving this goal is the development of voluntary consensus product and professional qualifications standards. The much needed ASSE Series 12000 will protect the health and safety of construction and maintenance craftspeople, building occupants, building employees and various healthcare facilities’ clinical-related operations from pathogens and other hazards that may be present in their workplaces.”
Making this standard more encompassing and valuable, the Series 12000 also sets minimum criteria for training and certifying construction and maintenance personnel on the proper methods of protecting a facility’s occupants. Standard #12040 acknowledges that during construction and maintenance activities, tradespeople are not the only individuals exposed to hazards and addresses the responsibility of personnel to protect occupants and operations from pathogens, diseases and hazards that may be present; especially within healthcare facilities.
The ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000 contains five standards, including general knowledge requirements for the health and safety of construction and maintenance generalists and employers; qualifications and requirements for working with biological and waterborne pathogens; and contamination/infection prevention procedures for protecting facility occupants and operations. The standard series also features four useful appendices, including guidelines for personal protective equipment and infection prevention/control risk assessments.
To purchase the ANSI-approved ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000-2014, please visit the ASSE International Webstore. For questions regarding the Series 12000, contact Marianne Waickman, ASSE International professional qualifications coordinator, by email at marianne.waickman@asseplumbing.org or by telephone at (708) 995-3015.
ASSE International is an ANSI-accredited standards developer and product certification body comprised of members representing all disciplines of the plumbing and mechanical industries. ASSE’s product performance standards, professional qualifications standards, professional certification and product listing programs aim to improve the performance and safety of plumbing and mechanical systems. Learn more about ASSE International at http://www.asse-plumbing.org.
Last modified: July 28, 2014