Section 855.410  Worker Decontamination Enclosure System

The contractor shall construct or provide a worker decontamination enclosure system in accordance with the following:

a)         Worker decontamination enclosure systems shall be provided at all locations where workers will enter or exit the work area.  These systems may consist of existing rooms outside of the work area, if the layout is appropriate, that can be enclosed in plastic sheeting and are accessible from the work area.  When this situation does not exist, enclosure systems may be constructed out of metal, wood or plastic support as appropriate, or a portable unit may be utilized (see Appendix A, Illustration D).

b)         Worker decontamination enclosure systems constructed at the worksite of plastic sheeting installed over a framework shall utilize six mil opaque polyethylene or equivalent strength sheeting.

c)         The worker decontamination enclosure system shall consist of at least a clean room, a shower room, and an equipment room, separated from each other by airlocks.

d)         Entry to and exit from all airlocks and decontamination enclosure system chambers shall be through curtained doorways.

e)         Access between any two rooms in the decontamination enclosure system shall be through an airlock with at least three feet separating each curtained doorway.  Pathways into (from clean to contaminated) and out from (contaminated to clean) the work area shall be clearly designated.

f)         The clean room shall be sized to accommodate the clothes and equipment of the work crew.  Benches shall be provided, as well as hooks for hanging up street clothes.  Lockers may be provided for valuables; however, workers may be requested to secure valuables elsewhere.  Shelves for storing respirators shall also be provided in this area.  Clean work clothes (if required under disposables), clean disposable clothing, replacement filters for respirators, towels and other necessary items shall be provided in the clean room.  A location for postings shall also be provided in this area.  A lockable door shall be used to permit access into the clean room from outside the work area. This space shall not be used for storage of tools, equipment, or materials, or as office space.

g)         The shower room shall contain one or more showers to accommodate workers. Each shower head shall be supplied with hot and cold water adjustable at the tap.  The shower enclosure shall be constructed to ensure against leakage of any kind.  Soap, shampoo and towels shall be supplied by the contractor and shall be available at all times.  Shower water shall be drained, collected and filtered through a system with at least 5.0 micron particle size collection capability.  A system containing a series of several filters with progressively smaller pore sizes shall be used to avoid rapid clogging of the filtration system by large particles.  Filtered wastewater shall be discharged to a sanitary sewer.

h)         The equipment room shall be used for storage of equipment and tools at the end of a shift after decontamination using a HEPA filtered vacuum and/or wet cleaning techniques.  Replacement filters (in sealed containers until used) for HEPA vacuums and negative pressure ventilation equipment, extra tools, containers of surfactant and other materials and equipment that may be required during the abatement may also be stored here as needed. A labeled six mil polyethylene or equivalent bag for collection of disposable clothing shall be located in this room.  Contaminated footwear (e.g., rubber boots and other reusable footwear) shall be stored in this area for reuse.