scope:

This Standard specifies risk assessment process and precautionary and remedial measures, including quality system requirements, for preventing exposure to agents released or augmented because of actions undertaken during HCF construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair work.

This Standard is intended to apply to the activities of the following individuals or groups in relation to any aspect of construction, renovation, maintenance, or repair of health care facilities:

a) commissioning teams;

b) constructors (see definition in Clause 3);

c) infection prevention and control personnel;

d) occupational health and safety professionals;

e) architects, engineers, and other design and construction consultants;

f) planning and project managers;

g) environmental services staff; and

h) health care workers.

This Standard applies to all types of HCF construction projects, no matter what construction delivery method is used (e.g., stipulated sum, public-private partnership).

This Standard has been developed for use during the project specification phase of construction, renovation, and maintenance and repair projects, and to assist in preventing health care-associated infections (HAIs) including fungal and bacterial infections from construction activity.

In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.