Ames Procedural
Requirements

APR 1700.1

COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY

Ames Health and Safety Procedural Requirements

Chapter 37 - Indoor Air Quality

37.1 Overview

This chapter provides guidance for the evaluation of indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns and guidance for their control when necessary.

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37.2 References

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Building Air Quality - A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers. DHHS (NIOSH) Pub 91-114, Washington, DC, GPO, 1991. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/largeblgs/baqtoc.html
2. U.S. EPA. An Office Building Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality. Washington DC, GPO, 1998. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs.occupgd.html
3. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Acceptable Ventilation for Indoor Air Quality. ASHRAE 62-1999, Atlanta, GA, 2001.
4. ASHRAE. Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-1992, Atlanta, GA, 1992.
5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Indoor Air Quality Investigation. Technical Manual, Section II, Chapter 2, OSHA Instruction TED 1.15, Washington DC, DOL, 1995. http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii2.html
6. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Guidelines for the Assessment of Bioaerosols in the Indoor Environment. Cincinnati, OH, ACGIH. 1989.
7. ACGIH. Industrial Ventilation - A Manual of Recommended Practice. 23rd Ed., Lansing, Ml, 1998.
8. OSHA. A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace. Washington DC, DOL, 2003. http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101003.html

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37.3 Responsibilities

37.3.1 Safety, Health and Medical Services Division (Code QH)

1. Investigate employee concerns about IAQ to determine if a recognized health hazard exists.
2. Refer employees with health complaints to the Ames Health Unit for medical evaluation using the Form in Appendix B.
3. Provide qualified staff to conduct Indoor Air Quality investigations.
4. Follow the steps listed in Appendix A. ARC procedures for IAQ Investigations to conduct the IAQ investigations. Phase III and IV should be conducted after the medical evaluation.
5. Recommend actions to alleviate IAQ concerns.
6. Keep records in accordance with OSHA and NASA requirements.

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37.3.2 Ames Health Unit

1. Evaluate the medical condition of employees who are potentially affected by exposure to indoor contaminants.
2. Refer employees with a non-occupational illness to their personal physician for treatment.
3. Provide medical treatment or referral to a specialist for an occupational illness.
4. Request an Industrial Hygiene assessment of a possible work place exposure when there is a suspected occupational illness.
5. Provide a medical opinion about health risks associated with current evaluated building conditions and communicate health information to individuals or groups of employees.

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37.3.3 Supervisors

1. Refer employees with health complaints to the Ames Health Unit for medical evaluation and ensure the employee does visit the Health Unit. See Form in Appendix B.
2. Ensure that IAQ concerns are forwarded to the Safety Division for IAQ investigations.
3. Ensure that recommendations made by the Safety, Health and Medical Services Division are implemented.
4. Coordinate with Facilities Engineering, Plant Engineering and Safety, Health and Medical Services Decision before making any facility modifications that may interfere with the proper function of the HVAC system (air circulation, temperature control, and pollutant removal).
5. Coordinate with building management for instances where the responsibility for design, operation and maintenance of the ventilation system is shared.
6. Integrate IAQ concerns into purchasing decisions by avoiding procedures and products that generate pollutants, whenever possible.
7. Work with Plant Engineering Branch (Code PFP) to ensure proper pest control practices are used.
8. During remodeling and renovations ensure the air distribution system is not disrupted and building occupants are not exposed to construction hazards.
9. Communicate to employees any activities that may affect their indoor air quality.
10. Assist in coordination of remediation activities.
11. Ensure no gasoline, diesel, or propane engines are run in enclosed spaces without prior authorization from the Safety, Health and Medical Services.
12. Assist in IAQ investigations when necessary.
13. Communicate to supervised employees about IAQ findings and remediation.

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37.3.4 Plant Engineering Branch (Code JCE)

1. Provide maintenance of all HVAC and local exhaust ventilation systems.
2. Maintain cooling towers and HVAC units and their systems in accordance with manufacturer's procedures and NASA guidelines.
3. Maintain all HVAC systems so that they are moisture free except where designed by the manufacturer to contain water.
4. When requested by Safety, Health and Medical Services Division assist in the investigation and remediation of IAQ concerns.
5. Keep records of maintenance and corrective actions.
6. Notify Safety, Health and Medical Services Division and the building's FSM at least three days prior to conducting any activities within fifteen feet of the building's air intake.
7. Notify Safety, Health and Medical Services Division and the building's FSM at least three days prior to conducting any roof tar applications greater then 100 ft2.
8. Maintain the capability to mitigate and remediate water damaged facilities including mold, asbestos, lead, etc. within 72 hours.

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37.3.5 Facilities Engineering Branch (Code JCM)

1. Design and construct new facilities or facility modifications using current industry guidelines (see references 3 and 7).
2. Ensure Safety, Health and Medical Services Division is included in all phases of the design starting at the concept/design phase (before 0%) for any new or modified HVAC system.
3. Review previous design problems (e.g., internally lined ductwork, inability to balance air flow) and include corrective actions in the design for any new or modified HVAC system.
4. Notify Safety, Health and Medical Services Division and the building's FSM at least three days prior to conducting any activities within fifteen feet of the building's air intake.
5. Notify Safety, Health and Medical Services Division and the building's at least three days prior to conducting any roof tar applications greater then 100 ft2.
6. When requested by Safety, Health and Medical Services Division, assist in the investigation and remediation of IAQ concerns.

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37.3.6 Facilities Service Managers (FSMs)

1. Provide central contact for all IAQ issues for the FSM's building(s) of responsibility.
2. Communicate pest control and construction activities to occupants.

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37.3.7 Employees/Occupants

1. Notify their supervisor of any IAQ concern or illness that you suspect is possibly related to IAQ.
2. Report to the Ames Health Unit for a medical evaluation if they are requested to do so by their Supervisor or the Safety Division.
3. Implement all corrective actions recommended by the Safety Division for occupants.
4. Do not use any chemicals or pest controls that are not approved by your supervisor.
5. Implement all applicable corrective actions recommended by Safety Division.
6. Do not block air vents or grilles and do not add filters to air supplies.
7. Comply with the ARC smoking policy (Chapter 5 of the Ames Health & Safety Procedural Requirements).
8. Dispose of garbage promptly and properly.
9. Store food properly.
10. Avoid bringing products into the building that could release harmful or bothersome odors or contaminants.

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37.4 IAQ Investigation and Hazard Assessment

37.4.1 Investigation Process

The Safety Health and Medical Services Division will determine the appropriate strategy for individual IAQ evaluations as well as the application of publishing regulations and guidelines. The process and checklists in Appendix A will be used for IAQ investigations.

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37.4.2 Hazard Evaluation

The evaluation of the degree of hazard associated with an indoor air quality concern will be based on comparison of existing conditions with applicable OSHA standards for worker exposure to chemicals. Factors that adversely affect the comfort of occupants, such as inadequate air flow, temperature extremes, or poor lighting will be reported to the responsible supervisor to determine appropriate action, in the absence of any recognized hazard. Whenever visible mold is detected in indoor environments, mitigation actions will be recommended, without regard to species identification. Interpretation of regulations and guidelines for chemical and biological exposures must be made or supervised by a Certified Industrial Hygienist.

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Appendix A: ARC Procedure for IAQ Investigation

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Appendix B: Ames Medical Referral Form for Employee Concerns

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Appendix C: Contacts and IAQ Investigation and Mitigation