scope:

FOREWORD

This foreword shall not be considered a part of the standard. However, it is offered to provide background information.

ASSE International is a membership organization dedicated to the preservation of public health and safety through the use of proper plumbing, piping and mechanical practices. This is accomplished in the spirit of its century-old motto, "Prevention Rather Than Cure."

Although pathological diseases are as old as mankind, the evolving nature of bloodborne pathogens and how they affect pipe trade workers, maintenance personnel, and other construction craftspeople has basically been ignored. While there is an abundance of professional organizations representing various factions of the piping and mechanical fields, ASSE International is one of very few addressing the critical nature of bloodborne pathogens (and other infectious diseases) and the dangerous roles they play throughout our industry.

To address this potentially hazardous situation, ASSE International has developed the voluntary consensus ASSE Series 12000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Infection Control Risk Assessment for All Building Systems. 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 the potentially deadly diseases that may be present within their worksites.

This standard series addresses the need for all construction and maintenance personnel and employers, especially within the pipe trades, to become proficient in identifying and managing potential situations where they may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens.