Health and Safety Do you live in a safe and healthy home? According to studies conducted by the EPA, indoor air pollutants may be at levels two to five times higher than outdoor levels. Sources of indoor air pollutants include faulty or dirty heating or air conditioning equipment; poor ventilation; mold and mildew from damp areas; radon; or combustion sources from burning products such as oil, gas, kerosene, tobacco products, coal, and wood. Asbestos, building materials, insulation materials, personal care products, disinfectants, glues, and household cleaning products, if not properly stored, can also become hazards. PATH is concerned about the health and safety of everyone involved in a home-the inhabitants and the builders. PATH promotes the ideas of universal design, which indicates products and buildings that are safe, accessible and usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. The building industry is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States: the fatality rate is 3 times higher than that of other industries. In combination with PATH partners and the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), PATH promotes sound practices for improving the working conditions and skill levels of builders and contractors nationwide.

PATH Tools Indoor Air Quality Mold in Residential Buildings This paper is intended to provide an overview of some of the mold issues and to alleviate undue concern about mold in indoor environments. Helping Your Buyers Understand Mold During the Building Process This ToolBase Technote discusses what builders can do to help their buyers understand mold issues, and provides tactics for dealing with some related potential problems during the construction process. Preliminary Study of Pollutants in Two Unoccupied New Homes The objective of this report was to screen newly constructed, unoccupied homes to gain further understanding of pollutant types and strengths attributable to building products and materials. This report summarizes the results of initial pollutant measurment in two homes. Passive Radon-Resistant Construction Performance in Ventilated Crawl Space Homes Results of tests of passive - vapor barrier with vent stack - radon control techniques. Conducted on homes with crawl spaces in a variety of locations in the US. Technologies in Practice: Greenlee Park, Boulder, Co McStain Enterprises emphasised energy conservation and better indoor air quality -- two issues that McStain Enterprises believed would get good market response, in their research home. Tech Practices Learn how builders and remodelers across the nation have integrated proven technologies into their construction practices. Tech Practices highlight the use of PATH technologies in a variety of projects. Accessibility Accessibility Laws and Regulations-Residential Several Federal laws and regulations contain requirements for accessibility for new construction, for alterations or renovations to buildings and facilities, and for improving access to existing facilities that serve the public. Builder Safety 25 Most Often Cited OSHA Standards for Construction and Remodeling A list of 25 of the most cited OSHA violations, and how to avoid them. Workers Should Take Precautions in Cold Weather NBN Online and NAHB's Construction Safety & Health Committee have provided these tips for preventing hypothermia and frost bite on the job site. Job Site Safety A building job site can be a very dangerous place. The tips and precautions offered in this section can help improve the safety during the construction process. Click on the following links for more information on: Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Homes Accessibility Builder Safety

Content updated on 2/15/2008