Infection control during construction

"Construction" work requires special attention in healthcare facilities because infection caused by exposure to airborne dust contaminated with certain mould species can cause severe illness in patients with weakened immune systems. It is essential, therefore, that all construction work be assessed at the planning stage for potential impacts and, where required, be performed under carefully controlled conditions. Consideration must extend beyond dust generated by major projects to include dust that can become airborne during routine maintenance and minor renovation activ ties. A number of measures for controlling dust which are common practice in asbestos abatement and mould remediat on work can be applied to construction work carried out in healthcare facilities.