In a hospital, small disruptions can carry serious consequences. Dust, noise, air quality, and access all impact patient care and safety. That’s why Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) training has become a critical part of healthcare construction.
ICRA is a specialized set of practices that contractors must follow when working in or near occupied healthcare environments. Carpenters trained in ICRA learn how to identify potential risks, isolate work zones, control airflow, and coordinate closely
with medical staff to ensure construction activity does not jeopardize patient well-being.
At HCATF, ICRA training is offered through a specialized course designed to prepare apprentices and journeyworkers for hospital and healthcare work. Participants learn how to set up containment areas, manage negative air pressure, follow interim life safety measures, and navigate complex construction within active medical spaces.
Hawaii’s Growing Need for ICRA-Trained Workers
Across the state, demand for ICRA-trained carpenters is rising. As Hawaii’s population grows and its healthcare infrastructure expands, more hospitals and clinics are undergoing renovations and system upgrades – all while continuing to operate and
serve patients.
Two recent examples are ongoing projects at The Queen’s Health System – on both Oahu and Hawaii Island – led in part by Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company (HDCC). From medical unit upgrades to patient wing expansions, these projects require extreme care, coordination, and professionalism.
These high-stakes precautions environments aren’t just about building right – they’re to ensure these facilities are about building safely, every day, with minimal disruption to essential services. It’s a tall order, and one that can’t be fulfilled without
contractors who understand the unique demands of working in active healthcare settings. It’s critical that these skills are completed by contractors who are properly trained for the task.
Partnering for Patient Safety
HCATF works closely with Hawaii-based contractors like Hawaiian Dredging to ensure that ICRA standards are met and upheld. Apprentices who complete ICRA training leave with not only technical skills, but a deeper sense of responsibility and respect for the environments they work in, and that mindset makes a difference.
Building Toward the Future
With continued support from contractors like Hawaiian Dredging and institutional partners like Queen’s, ICRA training is helping to raise the standard of care in construction – not just in what’s built, but in how it’s built.
As more workers become certified, Hawaii’s healthcare facilities will be able to count on crews who understand the unique demands of working in sensitive, occupied environments. And for HCATF apprentices, it’s one more way to build a career that
blends skill, safety, and real-world impact.
