Flooring Manufacturer Tarkett joined INSTALL professionals and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights to train contractors and architects in the importance of Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) on construction sites in occupied healthcare facilities.

INSTALL, the International Standards and Training Alliance, is an association of professionals representing the entire flooring industry including installers, contractors, manufacturers, associations and consultants. The company has the resources, capability and commitment to strengthen floorcovering industry standards. INSTALL is a natural partner in the effort to prevent hospital-acquired infections through training and awareness of facility personnel, construction personnel, as well as contractors and architects.

Tarkett, one of the first flooring manufacturers to join INSTALL as an Alliance Partner, is an active supporter of INSTALL apprenticeships and has been integral to INSTALL curriculum, train the trainer sessions, seminars and industry events like this one.

The First of Many Events to Come

This event, Infection Control Risk Assessment Best Practices for Health Care Construction, brought architects and contractors to the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCC), where attendees learned how to identify types of preparation required for construction in occupied healthcare facilities, as well the importance of having construction crews trained in ICRA protocol.

“90,000 people die every year from hospital-acquired infections, thousands of which can be prevented by training architects, construction crews, and hospital personnel in ICRA protocol,” said Tom Lutz, ICRA Representative and Executive Board Member of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. “Architects can then write specifications for properly trained construction professionals who are best able to complete the work, while ensuring that everyone goes home safe.”

“INSTALL Contractors employ well trained installation professionals that are qualified to work with a wide range of flooring materials in a safe and efficient manner,” said Don Styka, director of field services for Tarkett.

“Given the importance of infection control in occupied healthcare facilities, we are partnering with INSTALL to provide educational opportunities to architects, designers and specifiers to give them a better understanding of the challenges and guidelines associated with installations in these critical environments.” INSTALL and Tarkett have a rich history of partnership and this training was a natural result of their collaboration to improve industry standards, on every jobsite, with every worker.

“INSTALL is committed to industry excellence through training and collaboration,” noted John T. McGrath Jr., the executive director of INSTALL. “By working with Tarkett and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, we were able to create a unique opportunity to bring architects and leaders in the flooring industry together for cutting edge training that fills a significant gap in healthcare construction. We anticipate that this is the first of many events to come.”