By Trevor McNally
On March 18 the United Association General Office unveiled its guidelines “to protect the health of workers performing work on plumbing and HVAC systems” amid the current Covid-19 crisis.
The guidelines begin by outlining the basics: the history of this particular strain of coronavirus, how a person gets infected with Covid-19, what the symptoms are, and whether or not the disease can be transmitted through drinking water (in which, as of yet, it has not been detected) or through sanitary drain and vent systems (which, as evidenced by an incident in Hong Kong, should be “assumed by anyone working on sanitary drainage system that the virus is present”).
They go on to explain how mechanical tradespeople can protect themselves against the virus, outlining specific OSHA and CDC recommendations and exploring in detail the proper uses of Personal Protective Equipment.
As you all know, we are in the midst of an unprecedented global event. Workers, including plumbers, HVAC technicians and other tradespeople, must unite and do everything they can to stem the spread of Covid-19.
To read the UA’s guidelines in full, click the link below:
https://uanet.org/pdf/GuidelinesWorkerHealthPlumbingHVACSystemsCOVID-19_1.pdf