Chapter 1:                      Health and Safety

This chapter discusses some of the most important hazards that you find both in residential buildings and on weatherization jobs. The SWS contains many health-and-safety requirements that relate to various cost-effective energy-conservation mea­sures (ECMs). These SWS requirements are referenced in this chapter.

The chapter begins with health, safety, and durability of the building. If health-and-safety problems affect the cost-effective ECMs you select, solve the problems before or during the weatherization work.

Workers are the most important asset of WAP. We discuss their health and safety at the end of this chapter.

Customer Health and Safety

House fires, moisture problems, carbon-monoxide poisoning, and lead-paint poisoning are the most common and serious health and safety problems found in homes.

Alert residents to any health and safety hazards that you find. Discuss known or suspected health concerns with occupants; take extra precautions based on occupant sensitivity to environ­mental hazards, such as chemicals and allergens.

✓     Inspect the home for fire hazards such as improperly installed electrical equipment, flammable materials stored near combustion appliances, or malfunctioning heating appliances. Discuss these hazards with occupants, and remove these hazards if possible, as allowed under Weath­erization Program Notice (WPN)17-7. DOE Health and Safety Guidance

✓     Test combustion appliances for carbon monoxide and related hazards (exception: wood stoves). Also measure carbon monoxide (CO) in the ambient air. Investigate and mitigate CO.

✓     Find moisture problems, and discuss them with the occu­pant. Solve moisture problems before or during weather­ization work. See this locaiton.

✓     Be sure your work conforms to the EPA Repair, Renova­tion, and Painting rules when working on homes built before 1978. Prevent dust during all weatherization proj­ects. Explain the lead paint hazard and tell residents what you’re doing to protect them. See this locaiton.

1.1   Educate Occupants and Building Operators

Homes and multifamily buildings are complex systems of build­ing envelopes and mechanical systems that harbor a variety of hazards. Educate occupants, landlords, and building operators about the health and safety hazards and the improvements that you make to mitigate these hazards.

✓     Explain any health or safety hazard you see with fellow workers, occupants, and building operators, and discuss how to mitigate the hazard.

✓     Suggest contacting specialists to mitigate particular haz­ards if appropriate.

✓     Explain equipment operation and maintenance (O&M).

✓     Provide an O&M procedures manuals and manufacturers’ equipment specifications. Encourage occupants or staff to store important documents in a safe and obvious location.

✓     Instruct occupants or staff to remove combustible materi­als from near ignition sources.

✓     Inform occupants and staff about smoke alarms, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, and combination alarms, and explain their functioning.

✓     Suggest that occupants or staff remove or isolate indoor air quality hazards such as pesticides, petroleum products, and solvents.

✓     For complex mechanical systems in multifamily buildings, provide signs to inform occupants and building operators about operations, maintenance, and emergency proce­dures.

1.2   Fire Safety

The building codes focus on preventing the spread of fire within and between buildings. A fire barrier is a wall assembly that has been tested and certified to withstand and contain a fire for a particular time duration.

A fire partition is a fire barrier that prevents the spread of fire between the sections of a building. A firewall is a structural fire barrier between buildings that is designed to remain standing during and after a fire.

Flame spread is a tested value of how fast a material burns com­pared to red oak planks.

A thermal barrier is a type of fire containment barrier that pro­tects the materials behind it from reaching a temperature of 250°F or breeching during a fire. (Thermal barrier is sometimes used to describe insulation but not in this guide.) One-half-inch drywall is the most commonly used thermal barrier and is rated for 15 minutes of protection. Fire partitions in multifamily buildings usually require a wall assembly with a 2-hour rating.

An ignition barrier is a material used with foam insulation to prevent the foam from igniting. The code specifies a number of materials that can serve as ignition barriers including drywall, plywood, fibrous insulation, galvanized steel, and intumescent paint.

See also Fire Testing and Rating

1.3   Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. The EPA’s suggested maximum 8-hour CO exposure is 9 ppm as measured in room air. CO at or above 9 ppm is often caused by malfunctioning combustion appliances in the home, although cigarette smoking or auto exhaust are also common CO sources. The EPA’s one-hour CO limit is 35 ppm as measured.

1.3.1   Causes of Carbon Monoxide (CO)

CO can be released by unvented gas space heaters, kerosene space heaters, backdrafting vented space heaters, gas ranges, leaky wood stoves, and motor vehicles idling near the home. Central furnaces and boilers that backdraft may also lead to high levels of CO.

CO is usually caused by these conditions.

•       A combustion appliance is overfired compared to its rated fuel input.

•       Backdrafting combustion gases are smothering the flame.

•       An object interferes with the flame (a pan over a gas burner on a range top, for example).

•       Too-little combustion air.

•       Rapidly moving air interferes with the flame.

•       Burner misalignment causes a distorted flame.

•       Flue or heat exchanger blockage interferes with the flow of flue gases.

Testing for Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Measure CO at the exhaust port of the heat exchanger. Identify and correct CO problems. The most common CO-test instru­ments use electronic sensors with digital displays showing parts per million (ppm). Read the manufacturer’s instructions on zeroing the meter — usually by calibrating the meter in outdoor air. All test equipment should be maintained and calibrated Per Manufacturer’s Instructions (PMI).

“As measured” CO is a measurement of the ppm in the combus­tion gases as they were measured, without taking into account the amount of oxygen in the air sample. “Air-free” CO measure­ment includes both CO and O₂ sensing with a calculation to find the CO concentration in the same flue gases assuming they contain no oxygen. See Carbon Monoxide (CO) Testing

Technicians must test for CO both before and after weatheriza­tion.

1.4   Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

Every home must have at least one smoke alarm. Homes with combustion appliances must also have carbon monoxide (CO) alarms installed on each habitable floor, near the bedrooms where bedrooms are present.

Install CO alarms, smoke alarms, or combination CO/smoke alarms in homes with combustion appliances that lack both smoke alarms and CO alarms.

Don’t install alarms within 15 feet of gas ranges or combustion devices because small amounts of smoke or CO can cause nui­sance false alarms.

Single-function alarms or combination alarms can interconnect electrically for whole-building protection. If one alarm sounds the other alarms sound too. Be sure to install Per Manufacturer’s Instructions (PMI).

Educate occupants about the alarms and what to do if the alarm sounds. Discuss the low-battery chirping sound and how to replace the battery. Tell occupants that alarms last less than 10 years and that a different sound will alert them when the alarm fails. Make client aware of alarms that are available with 10-year lithium-ion batteries.

1.4.1   Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms labeled UL 217 in buildings where they don’t exist or don’t work.

✓     Install the alarm Per Manufacturers Instructions (PMI).

✓     Install one smoke alarm in each home on each floor.

✓     If mounted on a wall, mount the alarm from 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling, or PMI.

✓     If mounted on a ceiling, mount the alarm at least 6 inches from the nearest wall, or PMI.

✓     If battery powered, require long-life lithium batteries.

✓     If hard wired, connect the alarm to a circuit that is ener­gized at all times.

Don’t install smoke alarms under these conditions.

•       Within 12 inches of exterior doors and windows

•       With an electrical connection to a switched circuit

•       With a connection to a ground-fault interrupter circuit (GFCI)

1.4.2   CO Alarms

Install at least one CO alarm on each habitable floor of all weatherized homes or weatherized apartments. CO alarms must comply with these specifications.

✓     Have a label with a UL 2034 listing.

✓     If hard wired, connect to a circuit that is energized at all times by plugging in to an electrical receptacle.

✓     If battery powered, require long-life lithium batteries.

✓     Have a digital display of the CO measurement.

✓     Have a sensor-life alarm.

Don’t install CO alarms under these conditions.

•       In a room that may get too hot or cold for alarm to function properly

•       Within 5 feet of a combustion appliance, vent, or chimney

•       Within 5 feet of a storage area for vapor-producing chemi­cals

•       Within 12 inches of exterior doors and windows

•       Within a furnace closet or room

Don’t install 120-volt CO alarms in these circuits.

•       With an electrical connection to a switched circuit

•       With a connection to a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)

1.5   Gas Range and Oven Safety

Gas ovens can release CO, natural gas, or propane into a kitchen. Test the burners for safe combustion with these steps and do the recommended improvements.

1.      Test for gas leaks in the gas piping in and around the range and oven and seal leaks.

2.      Check oven for stored items. Turn the oven burner and then range burners to high one-by-one. Inspect the flames and test them for CO. For the oven burner test at its outlet. For range burners, hold the test probe at least 8 inches above the flame.

3.      If the CO reading is over 225 ppm, then a cleaning and tuning the burner is required.

4.      Burner orifices can clog. Clean dirty orifices with a multi-tool designed for cleaning various sizes of ori­fices.

5.      Adjust the burner’s air shutters to stabilize and harden the flame and reduce yellow-tipping, which should also reduce the CO concentration.

6.      If the CO reading remains over 225 ppm as measured, consider further measures. These include: scheduling a service call by a gas specialist; installing a kitchen fan if none currently exists; or installing an additional CO alarm near the kitchen but at least 20 feet away from the range.

Caution: To protect yourself and the occupants, measure CO in the ambient air in the kitchen during these tests. If the ambient CO reading is 35 ppm or more, discontinue the testing.

Client Education about Ranges

Educate clients about the following safety practices in using their gas range.

✓     Never use a range burner or gas oven as a space heater.

✓     Open a window, and turn on the kitchen exhaust fan when using the range or oven.

✓     Never install aluminum foil around a range burner or oven burner because the foil could interfere with the flame.

✓     Keep range burners and ovens clean to prevent dirt from interfering with combustion.

✓     Burners should display hard blue flames. Call a service company if you notice yellow flames, white flames, waver­ing flames, or noisy flames.

1.6   Reducing Moisture Problems

Moisture causes billions of dollars worth of property damage, sickness, and high energy bills each year in American homes. Water damages building materials by dissolving glues and mor­tar, corroding metal, and nurturing pests like mold, dust mites, and insects. These pests, in turn, cause respiratory illness.

Water reduces the thermal resistance of insulation and other building materials. High humidity also increases air-condition­ing costs because the air conditioner removes moisture from the air to provide comfort.

The most common sources of moisture are leaky roofs and damp foundations. Other critical moisture sources include clothes dryers venting indoors, showers, cooking appliances, and unvented gas appliances like ranges or decorative fireplaces. Clients control many of these moisture sources, so educate them about how to reduce the moisture sources discussed here.

Climate is also a major contributor to moisture problems. The more rain, extreme temperatures, and humid weather a region experiences, the more of its homes are vulnerable to moisture problems.

Reducing moisture sources is the first priority for solving mois­ture problems. Next most important are air and vapor barriers to prevent water vapor from migrating through building cavi­ties. Most homes need mechanical ventilation to remove accu­mulating water vapor.

1.6.1   Symptoms of Moisture Problems

Condensation on windows, walls, and other cool surfaces sig­nals high relative humidity and the need to reduce moisture sources. During very cold weather or summer air conditioning, condensation may occur on cold surfaces. This occasional con­densation isn’t a major problem. However, if condensation is a persistent problem, reduce moisture sources. Adding insulation helps eliminate cold walls, ceilings, or air-conditioning ducts where water vapor condenses.

Moisture problems arise when parts of the building become wet often and stay wet for periods of time. Moisture in organic or porous building materials reaches a threshold that allows pests like mold, dust mites, and insects to thrive. These pests can cause or aggravate asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ail­ments because they produce potent biological allergens.

Rot and wood decay indicate advanced moisture damage. Unlike surface mold and mildew, wood decay fungi penetrate, soften, and weaken wood.

Peeling, blistering, or cracking paint may indicate that moisture is moving through a wall, damaging the paint and possibly also the building materials underneath.

Corrosion, oxidation, and rust on metal are unmistakable signs of moisture problems. Deformed wooden surfaces may appear as the damp wood swells, and later warps and cracks as it dries.

Efflorescence is a white, powdery deposit left by water that moves through masonry and leaves minerals from mortar or the soil behind as it evaporates from the masonry surface. Concrete and masonry efflorescence indicates water movement through the home’s foundation.

1.6.2   Solutions for Moisture Problems

Preventing moisture problems is the best way to guarantee a building’s durability and its occupant’s respiratory health. How­ever, the solutions get progressively more expensive if simple solutions don’t solve the problems.

Inexpensive Moisture Solutions

If moisture source reduction isn’t adequate to prevent moisture problems, try these solutions after preventive measures are in place.

✓     In crawlspaces or basements, install a ground moisture barrier, which is a piece of heavy plastic sheeting (6 mil minimum) laid on the ground. Black heavy plastic film works well, but tough cross-linked polyethylene is even more durable. Secure the edges to the foundation walls 6” above the ground with polyurethane adhesive and/or mechanical fasteners. Overlap the ground moisture barrier seams by 12” and seal with polyurethane adhesive. Don’t seal the seams if standing water is a problem.

✓     Verify that clothes dryers and exhaust fans vent to the out­doors and not into crawl spaces or attics.

✓     Seal water leaks in the foundation.

✓     Seal water leaks in the roof.

✓     Remove unvented space heaters, a major source of mois­ture, from the home.

✓     Educate clients about ways of reducing home moisture that are under their control.

✓     Educate customers to avoid excessive watering around the home’s perimeter. Watering lawns and plants close to the house can dampen its foundation. In moist climates, keep shrubbery away from the foundation, to allow air circula­tion near the foundation.

✓     Insulate air-conditioning ducts to prevent summer con­densation.

More Costly Moisture Solutions

Follow these preventive measures before trying any of the solu­tions in the next section.

✓     Install or improve air barriers and vapor barriers to pre­vent air leakage and vapor diffusion from transporting moisture into building cavities. See this locaiton.

✓     Add insulation to the walls, floor, and ceiling of a home to keep the indoor surfaces warmer and less prone to winter condensation. During cold weather, well-insulated homes can tolerate higher humidity without condensation than can poorly insulated homes.

✓     A sump pump is the most effective remedy when ground water continually seeps into a basement or crawl space and collects there as standing water. Persistent ground-water seepage may only be solved by connecting an interior perimeter drain to the sump, although this is usually beyond the scope of low-income weatherization. The sump cover must be openable, rigid, and not interfere with drainage.

✓     Ventilate the home with drier outdoor air to dilute the more humid indoor air. Ventilation is only effective when the outdoor air is drier than the inside air, such as in win­ter. In summer, outdoor air may be more or less humid than indoor air depending on climate and whether the home is air conditioned.

Dehumidifiers and Air-Conditioners for Drying

As a last resort, remove moisture from indoor air with dehumid­ifiers in winter and air-conditioners in summer. Using air condi­tioners and dehumidifiers for drying a home is the most expensive solution. Try all the moisture solutions discussed pre­viously before resorting to a dehumidifier.

The dehumidifier should meet these specifications.

✓     Must be Energy Star or more efficient.

✓     Must have a fan-off option.

✓     Must retain automatic settings after power interruption.

✓     Must be rated for low temperature operation if located in a basement or crawl space.

When you install a dehumidifier, observe these requirements.

✓     Install the dehumidifier in a location that allows free air­flow around it.

✓     The dehumidifier should have automatic controls to limit energy and power.

✓     Make sure that the dehumidifier works and measure the relative humidity in the space before completing the installation.

✓     Drain the dehumidifiers collected water to a plumbing drain in a code-approved way.

✓     Give the homeowner the user guide, warranty informa­tion, and explain how to use the dehumidifier. Show the occupant how to clean or change the filter and how to clean the condensate drain. Suggest setting the dehumidi­fier to no lower than 60% rh and shutting the dehumidifier off below 65 degrees to prevent energy waste.

1.6.3   Crawl Space Moisture and Safety Issues

Air, water vapor, liquid water, and pollutants move through soil and into crawl spaces and dirt-floor basements. Even if soil’s surface seems dry and airtight, the soil may allow a lot of water vapor and soil gases to enter a home.

Cover the ground with an airtight moisture barrier to prevent the movement of moisture and soil gases from the ground into the crawl space using these procedures.

✓     The crawl space should have an access hatch or door that is sized adequately for a worker or a resident to enter and exit.

✓     Remove biodegradable matter, such as wood and card­board, from the crawl space.

✓     Cover the ground completely with a ground moisture bar­rier such as 6-mil polyethylene where little or no foot traf­fic exists. Install reinforced or cross-linked polyethylene where the barrier will see foot traffic, such as when the crawl space is used for storage.

✓     The edges of the barrier should run at least 6” up the foun­dation walls and internal supporting structures. Fasten the barrier with wood strips, masonry fasteners, and sealant. Installers may also adhere the barrier with polyurethane adhesive or acoustical sealant to a clean and flat masonry surface.

✓     Seams must overlap at least 12 inches. Seal the edges and seams with urethane, acoustical sealant, butyl caulking, or construction tape to create an airtight seal between the crawl space and the ground underneath. Don’t seal edges and seams if standing water is a problem.

✓     To avoid trapping of moisture against wood surfaces, ground moisture barriers must not touch wood structural members, such as posts, mud sills, or floor joists.

✓     Post a sign on the crawl-space accesses to caution those who enter not to damage insulation, ground barrier, or mechanical systems. Also caution entrants not to store hazardous materials in the crawl space.

1.6.4   Ground Moisture Source-Reduction

Observe the following specifications to avoid building deterio­ration from ground moisture. Finish the following tasks before air sealing the floor or installing underfloor insulation, with non-DOE funds or as allowed under DOE guidelines.

✓     Repair plumbing or sewer leaks.

✓     Solve all drainage problems, ground-water problems, wood-deterioration, and structural problems.

✓     Verify that the ground outside the home slopes away from the foundation or that water doesn’t puddle near the foun­dation.

✓     Install or repair rain gutters as necessary, and verify that downspouts discharge rainwater at least 3 feet away from the home.

✓     Suggest a sump pump for crawl spaces or basements with a history of flooding. The sump pump should be located in an area where it collects water from the entire below-grade area and pumps it away from the foundation to daylight.

✓     Provide crawl-space ventilation which follows the require­ments of the IRC and SWS. See Crawl Space Ventilation

1.7   Pollutants Source Control

Radon, lead, and asbestos are also important hazards to both occupants and workers.

1.7.1   Radon

Radon is a dangerous indoor air pollutant that comes from the ground through some types of rocky soil. Studies predict about 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year are caused by radon expo­sure. Weatherization workers should be aware of: the radon haz­ard, radon testing procedures, and radon mitigation strategies.

The EPA believes that any home with a radon concentration above 4 pico-Curies per liter (pC/l) of air should be modified to reduce the radon concentration. There are several common and reliable tests for radon, which are performed by health depart­ments and private consultants throughout the U.S.

Energy conservation work usually has little effect on radon con­centrations. However, ground-moisture barriers and foundation air sealing may reduce radon concentrations in addition to reducing air leakage.

Radon Mitigation

DOE funds can’t pay for fans or other measures specifically designed for radon mitigation. Radon mitigation must use non-DOE funds. Since radon comes through the soil, these four tasks may slightly mitigate radon levels if installed in an exemplary manner.

1.      Installing a plastic ground barrier and carefully sealing the seams and edges

2.      Sealing the walls and floor of the basement or crawl space

3.      Ventilating the crawl space or basement with an exhaust fan to dilute radon

4.      Depressurizing the ground underneath the basement concrete slab

Weatherization workers may install the first two mitigation strategies as prescribed by the weatherization work order for air-sealing.

1.7.2   Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)

Asbestos is classified as a “known carcinogen.” Asbestos is found in the following materials: boiler and steam-pipe insulation, duct insulation, floor tile, siding, roofing, some types of vermic­ulite, and some adhesives. Weatherization workers must be trained to recognize asbestos and to avoid disturbing it. Penal­ties for mishandling asbestos-containing materials can amount to $25,000 per day.

DOE weatherization policy requires weatherization agencies to observe the following safety precautions regarding asbestos.

•       Asbestos siding comes in sheets approximately 16 inches by 24 inches. It is weatherproof but very brittle. Remove asbes­tos siding only if you can remove the siding without dam­aging it.

•       Assume that asbestos is present in old gray-colored pipe insulation and duct insulation. Don’t disturb asbestos-con­taining pipe or duct insulation; also caution occupants to avoid disturbing asbestos.

•       Don’t cut, drill, scrape, sand or brush ACM.

•       Don’t remove vermiculite. Test vermiculite for asbestos, and use air monitoring if asbestos is present in the vermic­ulite in a home you’re weatherizing.

Contract with certified asbestos testers and abatement special­ists to mitigate asbestos problems before or during weatheriza­tion, if necessary. If vermiculite insulation has been installed in the dwelling, do not perform a blower door test until the poten­tial asbestos hazard has been eliminated.

1.7.3   Lead-Safe Procedures

In 2010, The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule became a legal mandate for weatherization work.

Lead dust is dangerous because it damages the neurological sys­tems of people who ingest it. Children are often poisoned in pre-1978 homes because of paint disturbance during home improve­ment and because hand-to-mouth behavior is common. Work­ers are poisoned by dust containing lead.

Lead paint was commonly used in homes built before 1978. Contractors working on these older homes should either assume the presence of lead paint or perform tests to rule out its presence.

EPA RRP Requirements

The RRP rule requires lead-safe containment procedures when­ever workers disturb painted surfaces of more than 6 square feet of interior surface per room or more than 20 square feet of exte­rior surface per side by cutting, scraping, drilling, or other dust-creating activities in pre-1978 homes. Disturbing paint on win­dows and doors always requires containment.

The RRP requires certifications, warnings, dust-prevention, dust collection, and housecleaning as summarized here.

✓     With pre-1978 homes, either test for lead-based paint or assume that lead-based paint is present.

✓     Every pre-1978 weatherization or renovation job must be supervised by a certified renovator with 8 hours of EPA-approved training when workers will disturb more than the minimum paint area or when they will disturb paint on windows or doors.

✓     Renovation firms must be registered with the EPA and employ one or more certified renovators.

✓     Signs and barriers must warn occupants and passersby not to enter the work area.

✓     Floor-to-ceiling dust-tight barriers must prevent the spread of dust from the work area.

✓     Plastic sheeting must protect surfaces and fixtures within the work area.

✓     Workers must clean work surfaces sufficiently to pass an EPA-approved dust-wipe test, conducted by the certified renovator.

✓     Workers must not track dust from the work area into the home.

Lead-Safe Work Practices

Lead-Safe Weatherization (LSW) is a set of procedures devel­oped by the DOE prior to the enactment of the RRP rule. LSW requires the same basic procedures as RRP in pre-1978 homes. When engaging in the paint-disturbing weatherization activi­ties, follow these lead-safe work practices that were established by weatherization experts.

✓     Wear a tight-fitting respirator to protect yourself from breathing dust or other pollutants.

✓     Confine your work area within the home to the smallest possible floor area. Seal this area off carefully with floor-to-ceiling barriers made of disposable plastic sheeting, sealed at floor and ceiling with tape.

✓     Don’t use heat guns or power sanders in LSW work.

✓     Spray water on the painted surfaces to keep dust out of the air during drilling, cutting, or scraping painted surfaces.

✓     Erect an effective dust-containment system outdoors to prevent dust contamination to the soil around the home.

✓     Use a dust-containment system with a HEPA vacuum when drilling holes indoors.

✓     Avoid taking lead dust home on clothing, shoes, or tools. Wear boot covers while in the work area, and remove them to avoid tracking dirt from the work area to other parts of the house. Wear disposable coveralls, or vacuum cloth coveralls with a HEPA vacuum before leaving the work area.

Wash thoroughly before eating, drinking, or quitting for the day.

1.8   Electrical Safety

Electrical fires and shocks are common and serious safety prob­lems. Electrical safety is a basic housing need, requiring atten­tion during home weatherization and repair.

Observe the following specifications for electrical safety when installing insulation and weatherizing existing homes.

✓     Whenever working around wiring, use a non-contact volt­age tester to determine whether circuits are live. Turn cir­cuits off at circuit breakers as appropriate.

✓     Confirm that all wire splices are enclosed in electrical junction boxes. If wire splices are not code compliant, have then repaired before insulating or defer the job. If you plan to cover a junction box with insulation, attach a flag to mark its location.

✓     Don’t allow metal insulation shields to contact wiring.

✓     Install S-type fuses where appropriate to prevent occu­pants from installing oversized fuses.

✓     Before insulating, perform a voltage-drop test to evaluate the size and condition of hidden wiring in older homes.

✓     Whenever you doubt the integrity of a home’s electrical system, use a generator to power insulation blowers and other large power tools.

1.8.1   Decommissioning Knob-and-Tube Wiring

Decommission knob-and-tube wiring before or during weather­ization if possible. Try to convince your clients or their landlords to replace knob-and-tube wiring with their own funds.

Use a non-contact voltage tester to determine whether the knob-and-tube wiring is live. If you’re unsure about whether the wiring is still live, schedule an inspection by a qualified and experienced electrician.

If the knob-and-tube wiring in an attic is live, ask an electrician and/or an electrical inspector to determine whether the attic wiring can be decommissioned and replaced with non-metallic sheathed electrical cable. Depending on the situation, the elec­trician may choose one of these two options.

1.      Terminate the existing attic knob-and-tube wiring, and connect the new NM circuit directly to the main ser­vice box.

2.      Install a flagged junction box in the attic to connect the knob-and-tube riser to new NM cable in the attic.

1.8.2   Constructing Shielding for Knob-and-Tube Wiring

You may install attic insulation up to the bottom of knob-and-tube wiring, but never cover knob-and-tube wiring with insula­tion that covers the wires.

✓     Construct structural dam to maintain a 3-inch clearance between attic insulation and knob-and-tube wiring. Do not cover the knob-and-tube wiring.

1.9   Worker Health and Safety

The personal health and safety of each employee is vitally important to every weatherization agency. Injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, while long-term exposure to toxic materials contributes to sickness, absen­teeism, and death of workers. Both injury hazards and toxic sub­stances are present during weatherization work.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes workplace safety standards. Weatherization staff and contractors must attend training on OSHA standards and observe these standards on the job. Safety always has priority over other factors affecting weatherization operations.

Some hazards deserve attention because of their statistical dan­ger. Become aware of these most common workplace hazards.

✓     Vehicle accidents

✓     Falls

✓     Back injuries

✓     Exposure to hazardous materials

✓     Electrical hazards

✓     Repetitive stress injuries

1.9.1   Commitment to Safety

Workers may not remember safe work practices unless safety is periodically reinforced.

✓     Arrange regular health and safety training.

✓     Conduct monthly safety meetings at headquarters and weekly safety meetings on the current jobsite.

✓     Provide well-equipped first-aid kits in the work vehicles and in the warehouse.

✓     Provide or require personal protective equipment for workers appropriate for their job duties.

✓     Provide a fire extinguisher in the warehouse and each work vehicle.

✓     Keep equipment in good condition.

✓     Observe all state and federal standards relating to worker health and safety.

✓     Keep lists of emergency-contact phone numbers for both employees and emergency services in the warehouse and in the work vehicles.

✓     Keep Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) in the warehouse and in the work vehicles.

Safety requires communication and action. To protect yourself from injury and illness, learn to recognize hazards, communi­cate with co-workers and supervisors, and take action to reduce or eliminate hazards.

1.9.2   New Employees

New employees are several times more likely to injure them­selves on the job compared to experienced workers. Before their first day on the job, new employees should learn about safety basics such as proper lifting, safe ladder usage, and safe opera­tion of the power tools they will use on the job.

Be sure to inform new employees about hazardous materials they may encounter on the job. Show new hires the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) required by OSHA for each material.

New employees should be required to use this common safety equipment.

✓     Proper clothing.

✓     Leather gloves with cuffs.

✓     Respirators.

✓     Safety glasses.

✓     Hearing protectors.

Ban alcohol and drugs from agency headquarters and the job. Staff members should be encouraged to refrain from smoking and to stay physically fit.

1.9.3   Driving

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one-third of all occupational fatalities in the United States occur in motor-vehi­cle accidents. Staff members should organize their errands and commuting to the job site so as to minimize vehicle travel.

Vehicles should be regularly inspected and repaired if necessary. Verify that these safety features are present and functioning.

✓     Brake system

✓     Steering system

✓     Horn

✓     Headlights

✓     Rear-view and side-view mirrors

✓     Directional signals

✓     Backup lights

✓     A fire extinguisher

Always wear seat belts. Before traveling to the job, secure tools and materials in the vehicle’s cargo area to prevent shifting.

1.9.4   Lifting and Back Injuries

Back injuries account for one out of every five workplace inju­ries. Most of these injuries are to the lower back and result from improper lifting, crawling in tight spaces, and using heavy tools.

Workers often injure their backs by lifting heavy or awkward loads improperly or without help. Use proper lifting techniques such as lifting with the legs and keeping a straight back when­ever possible. To avoid back injury, get help before trying to lift heavy or awkward loads, stay in good physical condition, and control your weight through diet and exercise.

Workers with limited lifting abilities because of weakness or prior injury should avoid heavy lifting.

These policies help prevent jobsite injuries.

✓     Redesign work activities: adapt equipment to minimize awkward movements on the job site.

✓     Perform strength-testing of workers, set lifting limits, and provide training for all workers on the causes and preven­tion of back injuries.

✓     Encourage breaks to prevent workers from being in strain­ing positions for long time periods.

✓     Share the most difficult work among all capable crew members.

1.9.5   Respiratory Health

Wear your respirator when working in a polluted environment. Common construction dust can contain toxins including lead, asbestos, and chemicals released by drilling, cutting, scraping. Liquid foam, caulking, and solvents release toxic organic vapors that require either organic vapor cartridges or a fresh-air supply.

Test your respirators to be sure they have a good fit.

✓     Check the straps and face piece to be sure they are soft and free of cracks.

✓     Strap on the respirator and adjust the straps to be snug but comfortable.

✓     Close the exhalation valve.

✓     Exhale gently and check for leaks around the edges.

✓     If there are leaks, adjust or repair the respirator.

When applying low pressure 2-component spray polyurethane foam, wear an air purifying mask with an organic vapor car­tridge and a P-100 particulate filter.

Workers with beards, facial scars, and thick temple bars on eye­glasses must use full-face respirators to achieve a good seal. OSHA requires a completed form documenting employees’ fit tests each year.

When spraying low-pressure polyurethane foam, use a respira­tor cartridge designed to filter organic vapors, and ventilate the area where you’re spraying the foam. When spraying high-pres­sure polyurethane foam, use a supplied-air, positive-pressure respirator, and ventilate the area.

Learn how to recognize asbestos insulation that may be installed around older furnaces and boilers.

Control dust in your client’s homes by erecting temporary barri­ers when you are doing work that may release dust. Wear cover­alls when entering attics or crawl spaces. Coveralls should be disposable or laundered professionally.

1.9.6   Hazardous Materials

Your health and safety can be threatened by hazardous materials used on the job. Workers often fail to protect themselves from hazardous materials because they don’t recognize the hazards. Breathing hazardous materials, absorbing them through the skin, and coming into eye contact with hazardous materials are common ways workers are injured by chemicals.

OSHA regulations require employers to notify and train employees about hazardous materials used on the job. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every workplace hazardous material should be readily available to employees. Obtain copies of SDSs from manufacturers or their distributors. OSHA requires that the SDSs be available at headquarters and at the jobsite for worker reference.

Learn how to handle hazardous materials used on the job. Use the personal protective equipment (PPE) that is recommended by the SDS.

1.9.7   Equipment for Personal and Crew Safety

Worker should have their own personal protective equipment.

•       Respirators with dust and organic-vapor cannisters

•       Clean cloth coveralls or disposable coveralls

•       Gloves

•       Safety glasses

•       Hearing protection

•       Hard hat for head-injury hazards

Crews should equip themselves with the safety equipment listed here.

•       Ladder levelers and stabilizers

•       Portable lights for work in dark areas

•       A water jug

•       Insect spray

•       Safe, heavy electrical cords with GFCI receptacles

1.9.8   Falls

Falls off ladders and stairs cause 13% of workplace injuries according to the National Safety Council. Other falls from the ladder heights account for approximately 7% of workplace inju­ries.

Broken ladders and unstable ladders are both major causes of on-the-job falls. Step ladders, for instance, are often used for work that is too far off the ground, forcing workers to stand on the top step or to reach too far.

OSHA regulations include these important guidelines for ladder use.

✓     Maintain all ladders in good repair, and replace ladders if they have missing or damaged steps, cracked side-rails, or damaged feet.

✓     Extend extension ladders at least three feet above the area they access.

✓     Ladders shouldn’t have a pitch steeper than four feet of rise for each foot that the ladder’s feet are away from the build­ing.

✓     Block or tie ladders firmly in place at the top and bottom if you install the ladder at a steeper angle than suggested above or on windy days.

✓     Don’t use metal ladders where they may accidentally touch electrical conductors.

✓     Maintain ladders free of oil, grease, and other slipping haz­ards. Inspect your shoes for slipping hazard before climb­ing a ladder.

✓     Don’t over-reach: instead move the ladder.

✓     Avoid carrying heavy loads up ladders and operating power tools from ladders.

Build scaffolding when working above-ground for sustained time periods. Each scaffold leg should be stabilized so that it supports an equal weight as other legs. Secure planks to the structure and provide handrails on the sides and ends of the walkway.

Workers should inspect their workplaces regularly to notice and remove slipping and tripping hazards. Workers carrying loads should create and maintain debris-free walkways.

1.9.9   Tool Safety

The tools used in construction work are dangerous if used improperly. About 90,000 people hurt themselves with hand tools each year. The crew chief should conduct tool safety train­ing as frequently as necessary to insure safe tool use.

These basic safety rules can reduce the hazards of using hand and power tools.

✓     Use the right tool for the job.

✓     Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.

✓     Inspect tools for damage before using them.

✓     Operate tools according to the manufacturer’s instruc­tions.

✓     Use appropriate personal protective equipment.

✓     Use double insulated power tools of ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) outlets or extension cords to prevent electric shock.

✓     Use generators for electrical service on the jobsite and ground them.

✓     Verify that generator exhaust is directed away from the home, the vehicle, and the crew.

1.9.10   Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries are caused by over-working certain parts of your body. Poor body posture, such as reaching above your head when operating a power drill, can encourage these injuries. Good work habits prevent this type of injury.

✓     Use a comfortable arm and hand posture when operating tools for a long period of time.

✓     Change the angle and location of your work surface fre­quently.

✓     Mix your difficult tasks with easier ones.

✓     Carry smaller loads.

✓     Take short rest breaks periodically, and stretch any tight muscles during this time.

When you purchase hand and power tools, look for models with ergonomic designs that place less stress on your body.

1.9.11   Safety for Crawl Spaces and Other Confined Areas

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a confined space as a space that contains a hazard like confinement, limited access, or restricted airflow because of its small size.

Access to Confined Spaces

Employers must be aware of the hazards of confined spaces and have policies for protecting workers. Consider these require­ments when appropriate.

✓     The crawl space should have an access hatch or door that is sized adequately for a worker or a resident to enter and exit.

✓     Workers should identify access and egress points before entering a confined space.

✓     If a heating and cooling system is located in the crawl space, the crawl space must have an access hatch or door measuring 22 inches by 30 inches or big enough to remove the heating and cooling system, whichever is greater.

Chemicals in Confined Space

Observe these requirements when using chemicals in confined spaces.

✓     At minimum, workers using any type of chemical in a con­fined space must employ continuous powered ventilation using adequately sized openings to facilitate airflow into and out of the confined space.

✓     If workers use chemicals in significant quantities, such as spraying of two-part polyurethane foam, the workers should wear respirators that supply fresh air.

✓     If a confined space contains a hazard like chemical vapors or the potential to collapse or trap a worker, the space is called a permit-required confined space (PRCS). A worker must have a permit to enter the space and workers without permits must not enter. The permitted workers must have special training and equipment to enter the confined space.

1.9.12   Safety for Extreme Weather

Extreme weather is a common cause of job-related sickness and injury. You can avoid sickness and injury by awareness and pre­ventive measures.

Hot Weather Safety

Know the signs of heat ailments and take action if you or a co-worker experiences the beginning of symptoms. Observe these hot-weather suggestions for staying cool and preventing heat ailments.

✓     Drink plenty of water and take salt tablets.

✓     Ventilate attics with fans.

✓     Rotate workers in attics to prevent heat exhaustion.

✓     Use water or ice to cool your skin.

✓     Rest when you feel fatigued.

Cold Weather Safety

Workers and supervisors should know the temperature, wind speed, and precipitation forecast. Dress for extreme cold and plan work around storms and other extreme weather events.

✓     Dress in layers for comfort and changing temperatures.

✓     Wear insulated boots or heavy socks.

✓     Wear insulated gloves.

✓     Seek warm shelter if you experience numbness or uncom­fortable chilling.

Windy Weather Safety

Be aware of the forecast for windy weather and take precautions before beginning work and before the wind blows.

✓     Tie ladders off high and anchor them low.

✓     Avoid carrying sheet goods that could act as a sail allowing the wind to blow you over.

✓     Store materials and tools where the wind can’t move them.

1.10   SWS Alignment