Future Environment Designs Training Center specializes in asbestos, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, and occupational safety training programs. We offer New York State asbestos and mold certification courses. We design, develop, and maintain the various indoor air quality, asbestos, and safety programs that are Keeping Your Employees Safe.
On October 5, 1988, Angelo Garcia, III, founded Future Environment Designs, Inc. (FEDTC) as an indoor air quality consulting and training service to the facility management sector. Since then, we have transformed the company into a provider of asbestos, mold, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance training. That has enabled us to continue for 37 years, with plans to continue for at least another 13 years.
Once we converted the company into a training company, we became completely focused on our Blue Ocean Strategy of separating our company from our competitors by including additional services in our training courses to meet our clients' needs. Services like:
supplying personal protective equipment (PPE),
providing quantitative respirator fit testing,
providing respirator medical evaluations,
our monthly Safety Suzy newsletter with content on asbestos, mold, indoor air quality, and occupational safety and health information,
our blog where we post items of interest and discussion,
In keeping with our Blue Ocean Strategy, we are starting a program called "After the Refresher". "After the Refresher" will consist of interviews and recordings with people who attended our refresher classes, where our attendees get to introduce themselves and we discuss some of the topics we covered in the refresher class. As we develop this program, we hope to interview people at conferences and other events that have an impact on the asbestos, mold, and OSHA compliance business.
In our first episode above, we discussed the different items we are currently discussing in our asbestos refresher courses. In our second episode below, we interviewed John Paciulli of Insight Environmental, Inc., on the new New York State Department of Laborfact sheet on asbestos surveys and how it would impact the asbestos and mold industries. We also discuss issues regarding contamination assessments.
As we continue to develop these programs and services, we are looking forward to what the next 13 years have to offer. When you watch these programs, please don't forget to subscribe to Future Environment Designs Training Center's YouTube Channel and hit the like button. Thank you!
State of PACNY: Leadership Insights and Organizational Updates
The day began with an address from Kevin Hutton, PACNY President, and Craig Kaputa, PACNY Past President, who provided an overview of the state of PACNY. Their presentation highlighted the organization's accomplishments over the past year, ongoing initiatives, and future goals. The duo emphasized PACNY's commitment to advancing industry standards and supporting its members through education, advocacy, and networking opportunities. Angelo Garcia, III was honored by receiving the PACNY's President Award for his efforts in handling the LinkedIn postings for the conference, sitting on the conference planning committee, and participating as a Board Member.
Kevin Hutton, PACNY President and Craig Kaputa, PACNY Past President Awarding Angelo Garcia, III the President's Award
Interactive Keynote: Navigating an OSHA Inspection
The keynote speaker, Mike Rubin of Ogletree Deakins, delivered an impactful and interactive session, "An Interactive Walk Through an OSHA Inspection." Rubin's presentation was a deep dive into the intricacies of handling OSHA inspections, focusing on key points that every employer must know:
Know Your Rights: Employers should be well-versed in their rights during an OSHA inspection to ensure they are adequately prepared.
Scope of Inspection: It is crucial to verify that OSHA's requests are within the scope of the inspection to avoid unnecessary overreach.
Cooperate But Be Informed: While cooperation with OSHA inspectors is essential, employers should remain informed and vigilant about their rights and obligations.
Document Requests in Writing: Employers should always request that OSHA put their document requests in writing to maintain clear and accurate records.
Rubin's interactive approach, including role-playing scenarios, allowed attendees to gain practical knowledge and confidence in managing real-life OSHA inspections.
Keynote Speaker Michael Rubin of Ogletree Deakins
Vendor Exhibition and Networking: Engaging with Industry Leaders
Following Rubin's session, attendees had the opportunity to network and explore the vendor exhibition hall during the final coffee break. The exhibition hall was bustling with activity as professionals connected with vendors, discovered the latest industry products, and shared experiences and insights.
Vendor Exhibit Hall
NYSDOL Presentations: Streamlining Processes and Introducing New Capabilities
The late morning session featured a series of presentations from key representatives of the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) Asbestos Control Bureau. Matthew Robinson-Loffler, Deputy Director of the Division of Safety and Health, began by highlighting improvements in the licensing process for asbestos and mold professionals. He noted that filing applications through the MPWR website ensures that paperwork is handled by department personnel within 24 hours, significantly speeding up the turnaround time for obtaining licenses and certificates.
Matthew Robinson-Loffler - NYSDOL Deputy Director of Division of Safety and Health
The most significant announcement from NYSDOL was the introduction of online variance filing through the MPWR website. Chek Beng Ng, Program Manager of the Engineering Services Unit, provided a detailed walkthrough of the new variance filing process. He demonstrated how to navigate the system and submit variance requests efficiently. Chek Beng Ng also addressed numerous questions from attendees, clarifying various aspects of the process. It was evident that while the new online system is a work in progress, it represents a significant step towards streamlining administrative procedures.
Chek Beng Ng, NYSDOL Program Manager of the Engineering Services Unit
Kirk Fisher, Program Manager of the Asbestos Control Bureau, concluded the NYSDOL presentations by reinforcing the importance of compliance. This year we had one of the highest attendances from the different District Offices of NYSDOL's Asbestos Control Bureau.
NYSDOL Asbestos Control Bureau Attendees
Networking Lunch: Building Connections and Fostering Collaboration
The conference concluded with a networking lunch, offering attendees a final opportunity to engage with peers, discuss the day's insights, and establish new connections. The collaborative atmosphere fostered by PACNY's conference emphasized the importance of community and shared knowledge in advancing the environmental industry.
As we reflect on the second day of PACNY's 27th Annual Environmental Conference, it is clear that the event successfully provided valuable updates, practical knowledge, and opportunities for professional growth. Future Environment Designs, Inc. looks forward to continuing our involvement with PACNY and supporting the industry's ongoing efforts to enhance safety, compliance, and innovation. We look forward to seeing everyone at the 28th Annual Environmental Conference on February 27th and 28th, 2025.
Day One Highlights: A Deep Dive into Environmental Challenges
The conference kicked off with an array of expert speakers, setting the tone for an engaging and informative event. Ben Reich of Eurofins opened the sessions with his talk on "Interpretation of Laboratory Results: Complicated Considerations Challenging Mold Sample Reporting." Reich's detailed analysis shed light on the complexities of mold sample reporting, emphasizing the need for meticulous interpretation of laboratory results.
Ben Reich of Eurofins
Also opening the conference on the second track was Charles Merritt of Merritt Environmental Consulting Corp. who educated us with "PFAS: Primary Introduction, 'What is all the talk about?" Merritt's comprehensive overview of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products and industrial processes since the 1940s) provided attendees with crucial knowledge on this emerging environmental concern.
Charles Merritt of Merritt Environmental Consulting Corp.
Brent Kynoch of the Environmental Information Association (EIA) followed on the first track with "Compliance Chronicles: Understanding Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Rules." His presentation provided a thorough overview of the current EPA lead regulations, helping attendees navigate the intricate compliance landscape.
Brent Kynoch of EIA
Lisa Rogers of Mycometer and Frank Ehrenfeld of Eurofins collaborated on "American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) Standards: Reducing Risk and Adding Value for the Analytical, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety Professional." Their presentation highlighted the importance of ASTM standards in mitigating risks and enhancing value across various sectors, including analytical, environmental, and occupational health and safety.
Frank Ehrenfeld of Eurofins, and Lisa Rogers of Mycometer
Jerrod Garrett from LeChase brought a practical perspective with "Safety by Design: The Crucial Role of Well-Considered Task Hazard Analysis." Garrett's insights into task hazard analysis underscored the importance of proactive safety measures in project planning and execution.
Jerrod Garrett from LeChase
The Fallacy of PCM Clearance: A Critical Examination
Just before lunch, we had the honor of presenting on a topic close to our heart: "The Fallacy of PCM Clearance." Our presentation aimed to challenge the conventional reliance on Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) for clearance in asbestos abatement projects. By highlighting PCM's limitations and potential inaccuracies, we advocated for more rigorous and reliable clearance methodologies, like the EPA's Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) method.
Angelo Garcia, III of Future Environment Designs, Inc.
Addressing Disposal Challenges and Standards Updates
Also just before lunch, Jonathan Wagman, the Area Director of Industrial Sales for NY/NE Market for Waste Management, tackled a critical issue with "PCB Disposal: Identification and Disposal of PCB Contaminated Debris." Wagman's expertise in hazardous waste management offered valuable guidance on identifying and properly disposing of PCB-contaminated materials.
Jonathan Wagman of Waste Management
Cole Stanton, representing Sentinel Products, updated attendees on the latest "Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards" with his presentation. Stanton's discussion on standards in the restoration industry highlighted recent advancements and best practices, ensuring professionals stay abreast of current protocols.
Cole Stanton representing Sentinel Products
Engaging Panel Discussions and Safety Insights
Lunch and Networking Break
After lunch, the conference continued with the two tracks coming together for the PACNY Panel Discussion featuring insights from industry leaders including Jesse Scuderi of AEG, Angela Liddell of Paradigm, and Mike Waller of Lozier. Kevin Hutton of EAST, acted as the moderator. Their dialogue on "Project Designers Discuss Variances and Project Design" offered diverse perspectives on tackling variances and optimizing project designs.
Jesse Scuderi of AEG,Mike Waller of Lozier, and Angela Liddell of Paradigm
After the Variances panel discussion, we returned to the two-track presentations. The first track was the collaboration between Jeremy Starr of MSA and Jerrod Garrett of LeChase in "Elevating Safety: Unraveling the Importance of Fall Protection for Contractors and Consultants" which was particularly impactful. Their emphasis on fall protection underscored the critical need for comprehensive safety protocols in the construction and environmental sectors.
Jeremy Starr of MSA
Joel Hoomans from Livingston Associates discussing "Attracting and Retaining the Best Talent and Managing an Intergenerational Workforce" was in the second track. Hoomans' strategies for workforce management resonated with many attendees facing challenges in talent retention and engagement.
Joel Hoomans of Livingston Associates
Finishing Day One and Heading Into Happy Hour
Elizabeth Kirkland of the New York State Department of Labor wrapped up the day's sessions with "Common DOL Inspector Observations." Kirkland's firsthand insights into frequent violations and inspection observations provided invaluable knowledge for ensuring compliance and avoiding penalties.
Elizabeth Kirkland of NYSDOL
At the Happy Hour, after day one of the conference, attendees further discussed and got better acquainted with the speakers, made new connections, met the conference sponsors, and left day one with a renewed commitment to advancing environmental practices. Stay tuned for our detailed coverage of the presentations and insights from the second day of PACNY's 27th Annual Environmental Conference!
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) held its 10th Annual Salmon Fishing PROAM tournament in Point Breeze, New York. 19 Boats were part of this year's tournament, one more than last year's tournament. Unfortunately, Future Environment Design's boat this year was down two and only included Ms. Veronica Hansen-Garcia and Angelo Garcia, III but we were in the same boat as the previous year's "Catchin' Hell" piloted by Captain Tom Murray and First Mate Mike.
Sun coming up off Point Breeze
We would to send a great big "THANK YOU" to Darren Yehl of Cornerstone Training (CTI) and PACNY for organizing this event. This event allows us to catch up with many of the PACNY members and see how the year is doing. Here was this year's line-up of PACNY members and boats:
Cornerstone - Sunrise II
Cornerstone - Legacy
Lozier - Richmond II Salmon Doctor
United Rentals - Tomahawk
Paradigm Environmental - Shotgun
Paradigm Environmental - Gone Costal
Sessler Environmental Services - Intimidator
Republic - Double Trouble
Republic - Troutman
Future Environment Designs - Catchin’ Hell
Expert Environmental - Get Hooked
Abscope Environmental - Make the Turn
DiVal - Rally Killer
Aramsco - Mister
Aramsco- Lake Runner
AAC Contracting - Bite Me
First On-site - 3 Dogs
Metro Environmental - Rusty Lure
Cornerstone - Bait Master
Our catch was a bleeder.
A beautiful day on the lake it was actually a perfect temperature with a slight breeze. This was the first time we took a nap while fishing which was only possible because we only caught one fish the whole time from 6 am to noon. Though it seems we weren't the only ones. Thank you again Darren Yehl for making our trip worthwhile by giving us the fish you and your team caught. After the weigh-in, a catered buffet lunch was provided by the Black North Inn, delicious as always, and the trophies/prizes were awarded. This year's winners were:
First On-Site with Captain Jason Matthews of 3 Dogs Sportfishing
We enjoy our trip to Point Breeze every year, however, we have a little trepidation about next year. The fishing was really bad this year and it looks like we will be missing Sheryl & Matt, again next year. We will have to decide what Future will do next year. The event next year will be Wednesday, July 10, 2024. We hope to see you next year!
Both of these conferences provide tons of information that helps keep our classes up-to-date. We are looking forward to several presentations that should provide information about some current issues such as "Managing Typical Regulated and Hazardous Wastes Generated on Abatement/Remediation Projects in NYS", "Asbestos Building Inspectors - an Open Discussion", "Exposure Assessments", "Asbestos-Myth Busters", and "What Your Injured Employee Think of You, Navigating the NYS Worker's Compensation Law and Related Benefits" just to name a few.
EIA Conference 2022 in Phoenix, AZ
We will have a table at the PACNY conference and we will be tweeting the conference using the hashtag #FEDTCPACNY. We will be selling our asbestos air sampling tables ($15 per table) and we will be selling and signing our book "Do As I Say, Not As I Did" ($15 per book) at the table. Come by and say hello! Sheryl Esposito will be womaning the booth as she has for the past couple of years. Our co-host for Two Guys Talking Pumps, Dan Crothers, the International Sales Director of FermionX maker of the Airbox Sampling Pump, will also be attending the conference and is also a sponsor. To know more about the Airbox sampling pumps see our YouTube video "Two Talking Pumps" below or visit him at his booth where he will have the Airbox sampling pump in person! Looking forward to seeing you there.
On Thursday, March 3, 2022, the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York's (PACNY's) 25th Annual Environmental Conference opened after a one-year hiatus. The conference was held at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York, and the hotel and casino didn't seem to change much, however, the Lodge had a new bar that was beautiful and was very peaceful. As usual, the service at the hotel/casino and the TS Steakhouse was personable and professional!
John from TS Steakhouse making the Gotham
The conference began with opening remarks and a conference welcome from Craig Kaputa, PACNY's President, Kevin Hutton, PACNY's Vice President, and Deb Sanscrainte, of Aramsco, Inc., PACNY's Conference Chair. The first presentation, "Tribute to Past President - Chuck Kirch", was by Joe Cantone, Colden Corporation, it achieved the right balance of somber, respectful, and funny. Chuck Kirch passed away in November 2021. Brent Kynoch from the Environmental Information Association (EIA) invited us to become members of the EIA and then updated us on what's happening at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) regarding asbestos and the "Draft Risk Evaluation of Asbestos - Part 2". The last presenter before the break was Mark Gonzales, of Cornerstone Training Institute, speaking about "Cannabis in the Workplace". Since the New York State Cannabis Law does not define the term "specific articulable symptoms." Mr. Gonzales discussed the difficulties with assessing employee impairment from cannabis use, however, it is evident that an employer can act against an employee unable to perform their job duties or who poses a safety hazard due to their use of cannabis. The break was to let the attendees go see the vendors in the exhibit hall and get some refreshments.
Refreshments with the Vendors in the Exhibit Hall
After the break, the presentations began again with a virtual presentation by Tom Laubenthal, of AirQuest Environmental, Inc., on "Lead-Based Paint; EPA & Housing and Urban Development (HUD), A Review and Updates of Recent Changes in Rules". Mr. Laubenthal's presentation went through a host of lead regulations from EPA,HUD, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding Target Housing, Child-Occupied Facilities (both are based on pre-1978 construction), certifications, real estate transactions, and the different numbers and procedures for handling lead-based paint. The amazing part was that Mr. Laubenthal was able to fit his whole presentation within 45 minutes. Angelo Garcia, III, Future Environment Designs, Inc., was the last presentation before the lunch break. Mr. Garcia's presentation was on the "Trials & Tribulations of Training During a Pandemic" to see the presentation click on the link, which will take you to our dropbox folder on conference presentations (our presentation is in the 2022 PACNY Presentations folder). We discussed how the pandemic has affected our company and the training industry with supporting data from Ms. Karen Cummings, M.P.H., Director of the New York State Department of Health's (NYSDOH's) Asbestos Safety Training Program, and Mr. Chek Beng Ng, P.E., Professional Engineer, of the New York State Department of Labor's (NYSDOL's) Engineering Services Unit (A Big Thank You to the both of you!). A buffet lunch was served in the Oneida Room. In our next post, we will discuss the presentations after lunch! Until then!
The Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) have announced the dates for their annual Environmental Conference to be held on March 3rd and 4th, 2022. It will be held at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. Visit Turning Stone Casino'swebsite for pandemic questions. To register for the conference or sponsor the conference click here!
Return of New York State Department of Labor Panel
Obviously, due to the pandemic, last year's conference was not held. This year's conference goes back to the original format of two days - Thursday & Half-day Friday. Thursday is usually the Professional Day and we're looking forward to the following presentations: a presentation by a New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) Inspector by Elizabeth Kirkland; The Evolving Role of the NYS Project Monitor, and a roundtable discussion by PACNY experts on mold, that will include Jack Springston of ATC. PACNY has asked us, (Angelo Garcia, III's, of Future Environment Designs, Inc. (FEDTC)), to speak and we will be presenting on the "Trials and Tribulations of Training During a Pandemic". We hope our presentation will be an entertaining look into trying to maintain a training program during a pandemic. We would like to thank Ms. Karen Cummings, M.P.H., Director of the New York State Department of Health's (NYSDOH)Asbestos Safety Training Program for providing us with data for our presentation regarding the number of asbestos training certificates issued during the last four years. We would also like to thank Mr. Chek Beng Ng, P.E., Professional Engineer, of the NYSDOL Engineering Services Unit, for also providing us with the mold training data, since 2015, for our presentation. With this information, it will be interesting to see the impact the pandemic had on training and in extension on the available workforce. After the last presentation, we will head over to the Exhibition Hall with the Vendors/Sponsors of the conference and network with the attendees at the open bar. Yes, that's right Happy Hour is back!
Happy Hour At the Exhibition Hall
FEDTC is one of the sponsors of the conference again and will have a booth in the Exhibition Hall. Ms. Sheryl Esposito is returning to be the woman at the booth. Come by and say hello! As we have in the past, we will be tweeting the conference. To follow the conference on Twitter, you can search for the hashtag #FEDTCPACNY or you can follow on our Twitter account at https://twitter.com/angelogarcia3.
Sheryl Esposito at the FEDTC Booth
Half-day Friday is Regulatory Day with the NYSDOL'sAsbestos Control Bureau usually doing a brief presentation and then doing a questions and answers session. One question certain to be asked will be when will the Fast Track Variances return? Mr. Ed Smith, P.E., Program Manager of the NYSDOL Engineering Services Unit will be expected to answer that question. This year we will have new people on the podium. Dr. Eileen Franco has retired and the new director is Amy Phillips. Mr. Kirk Fisher takes over for Mr. James Meacham, P.E. as head of the Enforcement Unit. This ponders the question of who takes over the Licensing and Certification Unit? Mr. Paul Demick, Associate Safety & Health Inspector, will be on the podium for the NYSDOL License & Certificate Unit. Lunch on Friday is the last meal of the conference and the last chance to network with the attendees. It will be good to get back to Turning Stone and see all our friends and business associates, again. Hoping to see you there!
The last day of the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York's (PACNY's) 24th annual Environmental Conference was held at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York on Friday, February 28, 2020. The last day started similar to the first day with opening remarks from Ms. Deb Sanscrainte, of ARAMSCO and the conference chairwoman, and Timothy Thomas of Tetra Tech and President of PACNY. These remarks included a change in the program because a snowstorm caused the originally scheduled speaker unable to attend the conference. The beginning presentation was by Martin S. Rutstein, Ph.D., President of Ecological Consulting & Management Services, Inc. discussing talc litigation. Followed by Brent Kynoch of the Environmental Information Association (EIA) discussing the benefits of joining the EIA. The Regulatory Day of the conference includes the last chance of visiting the Vendor Exhibit Hall with a continental breakfast and visit the 30 vendors to get a chance to win the vendor gift cards/prizes.
Dr.Rutstein speaking about talc litigation
After the two morning presentations, and a short break in the Vendor Exhibit Hall, the New York State Department of Labor's (NYSDOL's) Panel with a question and answer session began. The panel included Dr. Eileen Franko, the Director; Mr. James Meacham Program Manager, Asbestos Control Bureau; Mr. Kirk Fisher, Program Manager, Licensing & Certification; and Mr. Ed Smith, Program Manager, Engineering Services Unit. Questions and answers session was moderated by Mr. Tim Thomas of Tetra Tech Engineering.
NYSDOL Panel Discussion
The panel started with some opening remarks by Dr. Eileen Franko which included announcing her retirement in March 2020. Making this the last year she will be on the panel. Those of us who have gotten to know Dr. Franko through the years will miss her leadership and her willingness to listen to the industry and work with the industry to better things for all contractors and consultants. As usual, the discussion of a new industrial code came up and it is still being worked on. Mr. Smyth announced, to everyone's surprise, that they had launched a pilot program for certain site-specific variances (SSVs). This pilot program is called Fast Track Variances. These variances are common variances that are issued regularly by NYSDOL. The purpose of this program is to speed up the review process for these routine variances and reduce the workload. Currently, SSVs can take two to three weeks to turnaround. Fast Track Variances can potentially be issued within the same day they are received. There are 10 Fast Track Variances available and can be found at NYSDOL's Division of Safety and Health (DOSH) Engineering Services Unit's website. Mr. Meacham discussed enforcement regarding Article 32 the NYS Mold Law. NYSDOL has received 175 complaints and has issued 30 violations. Most of the complaints are tenant-landlord complaints which do not apply to the law.
Future Environment Designs was a Gold Sponsor of PACNY's Environmental Conference
Another conference has ended and another successful year for PACNY with over 600 people attending the conference with 30 vendors exhibiting in the Vendor Exhibit hall both increases versus last year. Though we are happy for Dr. Franco and wish her all the best, the industry will miss her. Though she does leave us with a solid group of professionals running the various divisions that matter to the asbestos and mold industries. Hope to see you next year!
On Thursday, February 27, 2020, Ms. Deb Sanscrainte, of ARAMSCO and the conference chairwoman, and Timothy Thomas of Tetra Tech and President of PACNY, opened the second day, known as the Professional Day, of the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York's (PACNY's) 24th annual Environmental Conference, being held at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. Attendees expected a full day of presentations ending with the Conference Sponsors Reception. Presentations from the conference can be found on PACNY's website. The Professional Day of the conference includes the opening of the Vendor Exhibit Hall with a continental breakfast and 30 vendors attending the conference, an increase from last year! See the reception video to see the various vendors!
The keynote speaker for the conference was Ms. Luann Meyer, Solid Waste Administrator for Monroe County Department of Environmental Services, speaking on "Recycling-The Long and Winding Road". She discussed that most counties have fact sheets to know what is or aren't recyclable or you can tell by the shape of the container. She also discussed the New York State's plastic bag ban that went into effect March 1, 2020, all single-use plastic bags have been banned. Paper bags are not part of the ban and all stores that collect sales tax are impacted. Our next speaker was Jack Snider III, President & Sr. Consultant of AMRC Environmental Services, speaking on "Take Home Asbestos Exposure". Mr. Snider discussed the asbestos abatement illusion regarding the decontamination of the workers. He stated that workers, in Florida, during the removal of the floor tile, mastic, and other non-friable asbestos-containing materials (ACM) typically wore street clothes into the work area, and they are not showering nor vacuuming themselves/their clothing upon exiting the containment. If showers and vacuums are provided the showers are not connected nor attached to the work areas. When questioned why the workers did not decontaminate or wear proper personal protective (PPE) common responses included "the air samples did not show elevated fibers"; "It's floor tile"; and "I have been doing this longer than you!". The presentation then went into how he collected his samples using the American Society of Testing and Material (ASTM) standard D5755-09 microvacuum sampling method to collect several samples from workers, their clothing, vehicles, and surface areas after clearance of the work area was conducted. Findings from his study suggest asbestos abatement workers are bringing home significant amounts of asbestos fibers from these types of projects. The presentation was eye-opening!
Ms. Luann Meyer Discusses Recycling
After a break in the Vendor Exhibit Hall, the presentations continued. Similar to the first day of the conference, the next two presentations and the last presentation of the day awarded continuing education points for architects and engineers attending the conference. These points were awarded by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and were coordinated by Kevin Hutton, of the Rochester Colonial Manufacturing Corp. The presentations awarding these points were Martin S. Rutstein, Ph.D. & Marc E. Rutstein, CAI, Presidents of Ecological Consulting & Management Services, Inc., discussing "Regulations - How did we get here and Where are we going?"; Sean Miller's and Mike Mazzara's, of Genesee Environmental, LLC, presentation included information provided by Stephen R. Gheen, PE, of Gheen Engineering (who could not present due to illness), on "Mercury in Sports Floors, Regulatory Guidance, Remediation, and Disposal"; and Joseph Cantone, of Colden Corp., Sean Hart, of Energy & Environment, and Peter Delucia, of AAC Contracting, presentation "Asbestos Surveys: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly".
The Rutstein's presentation talked about the asbestos regulations and some advice for asbestos professionals - plan the job-take a fresh look, hire good staff (exert oversight of site staff), maintain required records, and plan for unexpected contingencies! Mr. Miller's and Mr. Mazzara's presentation on Mercury in Sports Floors was a deep dive into mercury remediation regulations, guidelines, and the disposal process. An important point made in the presentation was how it was different from an asbestos job. In addition, Mr. Mazzara's section on mercury waste handling, transportation, and disposal provided a lot of information on handling hazardous wastes.
Sean Miller Discusses Its Not An Asbestos Job
Mike Mazzara Discusses Mercury Waste Handling, Transportation & Disposal
After a lunch break and time spent in the Vendor Exhibit Hall, the next presenter was Jennifer Kavney Harvey, Esq., Partner of Coach White, LLP, discussing "NYS WBE/MBE Requirements". Ms. Harvey's presentation pointed out that spending in the last nine years for Minority-owned and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) has increased by 25 times (in dollars) while the number of MWBEs has increased by 18%. In addition, she discussed the Governor's 2014 press release increasing the statewide composite goal to 30% without a disparity study basis, modifying the Executive Law, or modifying the MWBE regulations. Most goals from 2014 to the present were 30%. After a short break in the Vendor Exhibit Hall, the next presenter was Karlee Bolanos, Partner at Bolanos Lowe PLLC, discussing "Understanding Your NYS Sexual Harassment Prevention Obligations". Ms. Bolanos discussed Sexual Harassment Prevention requirements that were effective October 9, 2018, that included a New York model policy that at a minimum must prohibit sexual harassment; provide examples of prohibited conduct; include information concerning the federal and state laws; include a statement regarding applicable local laws & contacting law enforcement; include a standard complaint form: include a procedure for the timely and confidential investigation of complaints and due process for all parties; include information about rights of redress; clearly state that sexual harassment is considered a form of employee misconduct; and clearly state that retaliation against individuals...is prohibited. She also discussed recent changes that were effective October 11, 2019, regarding behavior beyond a "petty slight" or "trivial inconvenience" that may be illegal.
Jennifer Kavney Harvey, Esq Discusses MWBE Spending & Utilization
Karlee Bolanos discussing Sexual Harassment Law
The final presentation of the day was Joseph Cantone, of Colden Corp., Sean Hart, of Energy & Environment, and Peter Delucia, of AAC Contracting, discussing "Asbestos Surveys: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly". Obviously, their presentation was broken into three sections with Mr. Cantone talking about good asbestos surveys, Mr. Hart talking about bad asbestos surveys, and Mr. Delucia talking about ugly asbestos surveys. The day ended in the Vendor Exhibit Hall with the Conference Sponsors Reception, which included Hors d'oeuvres, food, and an open bar. The after-party at Dival's Safety Equipment's hospitality suite allowed for more time to network and discuss the presentations of the past two days! All the presentations were excellent and provided very useful information for those who attended the conference. Looking forward to day three and the New York State Department of Labor Panel!
