Common use of Air Quality Improvements Clause in Contracts

Air Quality Improvements. a. Management will review Forest Service owned or leased facilities and, where necessary, make adjustments to facility air handling system(s) to improve air quality. In leased facilities, where the Forest Service cannot make changes, Management will request appropriate changes from the building owner or manager or from GSA. Potential improvements will be in alignment with current CDC Ventilation In Buildings guidance. Tools referenced currently include, but are not limited to: i. Increasing ventilation rates, where feasible. ii. Confirming ventilation systems operate properly and continue to provide acceptable indoor air quality for each space’s current occupancy level. iii. Increasing outdoor air, where feasible. iv. Improving central air filtration to the highest level compatible with the existing filter rack and sealing edges of the filter to limit bypass. v. Increasing air exchanges. Considering HEPA filters or other room-based air filtration for placement in the facility when other measures are not feasible or practical to improve air quality. b. Upon request, Management will inform the Local union what modifications are being made to the air quality system for the facility or will explain why no changes are being made. c. Further procedures and arrangements related to the actions taken by Management in improving air quality, related to COVID-19 response, are negotiable at the local level. d. Where local building safety and engineering requirements allow, employees will be permitted to provide their own portable air filter (for example, HEPA filter) near their office or worksite. e. In situations where there have been 3 or more cases in a building within a 30-day period, Management will notify the Union at the local level of steps, if any, being taken to prevent future transmission in the worksite.

Air Quality Improvements. a. Management will review Forest Service owned or leased facilities and, where necessary, make adjustments to facility air handling system(s) to improve air quality. In leased facilities, where the Forest Service cannot make changes, Management will request appropriate changes from the building owner or manager or from GSA. Potential improvements will be in alignment with current CDC Ventilation In Buildings guidance. Tools referenced currently include, but are not limited to: i. Increasing ventilation rates, where feasible. ii. Confirming ventilation systems operate properly and continue to provide acceptable indoor air quality for each space’s current occupancy level. iii. Increasing outdoor air, where feasible. iv. Improving central air filtration to the highest level compatible with the existing filter rack and sealing edges of the filter to limit bypass. v. Increasing air exchanges. Considering HEPA filters or other room-based air filtration for placement in the facility when other measures are not feasible or practical to improve air quality. b. Upon request, Management will inform the Local union what modifications are being made to the air quality system for the facility or will explain why no changes are being made. c. Further procedures and arrangements related to the actions taken by Management in improving air quality, related to COVID-19 response, are negotiable at the local level. d. Where local building safety and engineering requirements allow, employees will be permitted to provide their own portable air filter (for example, HEPA filter) near their office or worksite. e. In situations where there have been 3 or more cases in a building or work setting within a 30-day period, Management will notify the Union at the local level of steps, if any, being taken to prevent future transmission in the worksite.