Performance Leak Testing Guideline for HEPA Filtered Equipment – 2021

This guideline promotes industry standards for training, equipment, and methodologies for HEPA filtration integrity testing of negative air units including construction air handling units (CAHU) in CAN/CSA Z317-13 Infection control during construction, renovation, and maintenance of health care facilities, vacuums and any other HEPA filtered equipment on abatement and remediation projects as well as health care facility construction, renovation and maintenance projects. This guideline is considered a recommended industry standard procedure that can be utilized for testing the filtration integrity of HEPA filtered equipment used in the control of hazardous materials and limited infectious agents (i.e. aspergillus, legionella).

Issued: June 2021

In March 2021, EACC released this guideline which was developed for understanding responsibilities involving designated substances and/or hazardous materials under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations prior to the start of a construction project. It provides a framework to improve worker safety in the general construction, abatement and demolition sectors before work starts, and provides information and procedures based on current legislation, the state of the sciences, industry best practices and practical experience.

Issued: March 2021

> Watch the September 16, 2021 webinar about this guide

> Download the PowerPoint presentation from the webinar

Indoor Air Quality Guideline for Non-Industrial Workplaces

In July 2020, EACC released the “Indoor Air Quality Guideline for Non-Industrial Workplaces” which was prepared to assist employers, building owners, real estate management professionals, constructors, contractors, and workers to better understand typical indoor air quality (IAQ) issues. This includes an overview of industry best practices used in both the assessment of IAQ issues and preventative measures. It is written in the context of non-industrial workplaces, such as offices, schools, and commercial retail areas, and is primarily intended to address issues related to discomfort, irritation, or annoyance rather than health hazards associated with higher risks and potential exposures governed under regulated occupational exposure limits.

The guideline is intended to educate and inform those who need an introductory guide to resolve perceived IAQ concerns, and to prevent them from occurring.

Issued: July 2020

Emerging and Existing Pathogen Cleaning – Best Practices for Environmental Professional Services

In March 2020, EACC released the guideline document “Emerging and Existing Pathogen Cleaning – Best Practices for Environmental Professional Services” to offer environmental service providers the foundations to make informed decisions when responding to calls related to pathogens.

It is important to understand the EACC Guideline is NOT SPECIFICALLY INTENDED FOR
CoVID-19 but rather as a foundation document to assist a competent person in developing a scope of work following the completion of a site-specific risk assessment that considers multiple factors, including the pathogen of concern (particle size, severity/type of illness associated with infectious agent, primary exposure hazard/route of exposure, viability, transmission mode, etc.).

CoVID-19 Information:

*   Transmitted mainly via air droplets expelled during coughing or sneezing as well as touching surfaces contaminated with the virus then touching your eyes, nose or mouth
*   The virus may remain viable on a surface from a few hours to a few days (depending on the type of surface)
*   Currently only one sampling method is available in Ontario specifically for CoVID-19

Executive Summary of the Guideline

1.  Read the Guideline in its entirety
2.  Understand the risk – preventative, possible or confirmed
3.  Adjust the level of precautions to be followed based on the risk assessment
4.  Protect your workers using the appropriate personal protective equipment
5.  Protect the area/surrounding area based on the risk assessment
6.  Use appropriate DIN registered disinfectant to clean surfaces in the work area
7.  Apply disinfectant per manufacturer’s recommendations
8.  Have a competent person oversee the work
9.  Consider post-cleaning testing based on the risk level
10. Conduct a post-cleaning assessment

EACC members are professional environmental scientists, engineers, consultants, contractors and suppliers. As the front-line people dealing with various hazardous materials on a daily basis; environmental assessment and response is our main focus.

Issued: April 2020

EACC Vermiculite Guideline 2015

This guideline has been prepared to assist building owners, constructors, contractors, subcontractors and workers who have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations to safely perform work activities involving vermiculite. Two key aspects of this document include the establishment procedures for the proper sampling and analysis of loose vermiculite and the development of work procedures for the removal of vermiculite from attics and block walls.

The guideline promotes safe work practices, the use of personal protective equipment, worker awareness and training and is based in a thorough review of the available guidance materials available through December 2014 and professional experience of the abatement industry.

We believe that this guideline will not only help employers fulfill their responsibility and due diligence under the OSHA but will assist them to better address the challenges involved with proper assessment and remediation of vermiculite in buildings.

Issued: January 2015

EACC Lead Guideline For Construction, Renovation, Maintenance or Repair

This guideline has been prepared to assist building owners, constructors, contractors, subcontractors and workers who have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations to safely perform work activities involving lead-paints and surface coatings and other lead-containing building materials. Two key aspects of this document include the establishment of a threshold level for lead in paint and classification of common work activates not defined in previous lead guidance documents.

The guideline promotes safe work practices, the use of personal protective equipment, worker awareness and training and is based in a thorough review of the available guidance materials available through August 2014 and professional experience of the abatement industry.

We believe that this guideline will not only help employers fulfill their responsibility and due diligence under the OSHA but will assist them to better address the challenges involved with proper assessment and remediation of lead in buildings.

Issued: October 2014

EACC Guideline Hygiene Practices for Construction Workers and Infection Control 2021

This guideline has been prepared to assist building owners, building managers, constructors, contractors, subcontractors and workers, who have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations, to safely perform work activities. The guideline promotes safe work practices, the use of personal protective equipment, worker awareness and training and is based on a thorough review of regulatory and guidance materials available to May 2021, as well as professional experience of the abatement and construction industry.

We believe that this guideline will not only help employers fulfill their responsibilities and due diligence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act but will also assist them to better address the challenges involved with implementing the appropriate level of construction worker hygiene practices during abatement and construction activities.

EACC Mould Abatement Guideline

This guideline has been prepared to assist building owners, constructors, contractors, subcontractors and workers who have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations to safely perform work activities involving Mould (Microbial) Abatement and Remediation.

The guideline promotes safe work practices, the use of personal protective equipment, worker awareness and training and is based in a thorough review of the available guidance materials available through November 2003 and professional experience of the abatement industry.

We believe that this guideline will not only help employers fulfill their responsibility and due diligence under the OSHA but will assist them to better address the challenges involved with proper assessment and remediation of Mould (microbial) contamination in buildings.

Issued: April 2015