Long Island Enters Phase 4 and Future Environment Designs is Back in Business!

The Long Island region entered Phase 4 on July 8, 2020.  That same day Future Environment Designs was given permission to start offering in-person asbestos and mold refresher courses, again.  Though there are several restrictions with this reopening one of the more important restrictions is the requirement of social distancing in the class and the need to wear face coverings when that is not possible.  We are attempting to hold virtual classes and in-person classes every month.  Allowing you to have the option of whether you prefer to attend an in-person course versus a virtual course.  To see what our clients have been saying about our recent training courses visit our review page at CourseCheck.com at https://www.coursecheck.com/reviews/provider/76  

  

FEDTC Face Covering

For our in-person training courses, we are providing hand sanitizer and face coverings for all students attending the course.  We are requesting all students before attending any in-person course to take their temperature and go to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Covid-19 website  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.  At the CDC website, click on the self-check symptoms button and complete the Coronavirus Self Checker and follow the instructions after completing the self checker.  If the self checker says "Sounds like you are feeling ok.", "No Covid-19 testing needed at this time.", and your temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit you can attend training.  Once you arrive we will also be taking your temperature to ensure before you attend the training that you are below 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit.

As we've written previously, we are using Go-To-Meeting as our platform for our virtual meetings.  We've had a few technical difficulties but otherwise considering we've only been using the platform for only three months it has worked pretty smoothly.  We are using several other tools to make the class interesting and fun.  We are using PollEverywhere.com to create discussions in the class regarding certain topics, every attendee is encouraged to access the Administrate portal before class so they can access the course manual and review for the exam, which at the end of class is also located in the portal.  In addition, we use CourseCheck.com for course evaluations.  As we continue with the new normal we will do everything we can to protect your safety in our classes and provide you with the information you have come to expect from coming to Future Environment Designs!  See you soon!  

PACNY's Environmental Conference Day Three - A NYSDOL Surprises with Fast Track Variances!

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!  

Asbestos Training Providers Slowly Reopen - FEDTC Initial Training is Back!

On Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Karen Cummings, M.P.H., Director of the New York State Department of Health's (NYSDOH) Asbestos Safety Training Program notified asbestos training providers that they were allowed to offer in-person initial asbestos training.  Empire State Development had determined that statewide initial asbestos safety training can begin in-person.  She also notified us that refresher training must remain online/remote until the rest of the education industry is opened (which would be Phase 4).

  

Karen Cummings, M.P.H.

Training providers are required to follow all state and federal requirements on social-distancing, personal hygiene (hand-washing/sanitizer use), face coverings, cleaning/disinfecting, etc.  Training providers are required to check the New York Forward site at https://forward.ny.gov/ for guidance and questions regarding re-opening your business should be directed to Empire State Development.

Future Environment Designs Training Center is working on scheduling an #asbestos supervisor initial course and we already have a mold worker, mold remediation/supervisor, and mold assessment initial course on the schedule starting June 29, 2020.  Visit our website for our current schedule.

New York State Allows Teleconferencing of Asbestos Refresher Courses During COVID-19 PAUSE.

On Friday, May 8, 2020, Karen Cummings, M.P.H., Director of the New York State Department of Health's (NYSDOH) Asbestos Safety Training Program announced that because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, asbestos training providers were being allowed to submit for approval their teleconferencing plans for asbestos refresher training courses.

Karen Cummings, MPH, Director of NYSDOH Asbestos Safety Training Program

For a training provider to be considered for teleconferencing, the training provider must already be approved to instruct the discipline.  Providers are expected to use their existing approved curriculum during the course.  Teleconferencing plans must include: 

• The video-conferencing platform they will use.
• How they will verify the identity of participants.
• How will the instructor check to see if students are paying attention?
• How will the instructor handle students who are distracted or engaging in unrelated activities?
• What type of participation will the instructor require from the students?
• How will the instructor check to see if students return from breaks?
• How will the instructor handle students being late, either at the onset of class or when returning from breaks?
• How will examinations be administered?
• How will DOH-2832 certificates be issued?

The teleconferencing plan must meet and answer these questions.  In addition, the plan must meet these general requirements:

• Must be an existing provider with an approved asbestos safety curriculum for the discipline to be taught. Only approved training course material can be utilized during the course. Course material normally distributed in class must be made available to the student either by mail or email prior to the class.
• All requirements for courses remain for notifications, revisions, cancelations, maintaining paperwork, etc.
• The student information memo needs to be provided to the student. The student must return the signed document to the provider (via email is acceptable).
• Rosters shall be submitted with students’ names and DMV numbers, along with proof of attendance and identity, and the signed student information memo for each student listed on the roster.
• All participants must have a good internet connection.
• Each student must sign in to the teleconferencing platform individually.  Multiple students cannot share a sign-on.
• All students and the instructor must have video capability. The student must remain visible to the camera during all instruction.
• The entire training session must be recorded and be made available to the NYSDOH upon request.  Students must be made aware they are being recorded.
• The NYSDOH must be given call-in information for the class
• Participants must attend the session in its entirety.  They cannot “arrive” into the online session late and they must return from breaks on time. If they arrive to the course late, they cannot be admitted into the course.  If they do not arrive back from break on time, they cannot continue the course. No make-up time will be allowed.
• Participants cannot have distractions (people and pets interrupting, television on, excess background noise, etc.).
• During instruction time, students may not engage in any activities unrelated to the class (for example: talk to people who are not in the class, texting, surfing the internet, playing games on phone, etc.).
• Instruction must include interactive participatory training methods. All students must actively participate in classroom discussions. Providing only a lecture is not permitted.
• Font size must be large enough and easily legible.

Instructor-led Courses are shutdown during the PAUSE

Future Environment Design's (FEDTC's) Teleconferencing Plan was approved.  The week of May 18, 2020, we ran our first virtual instructor-led training courses.  We would like to thank all those who attended the training and followed the requirements.  The requirements above have been underlined for emphasis.  FEDTC is using GoToMeeting as our teleconferencing platform.  In using that platform your attendance is digitally entered on the attendance sheet when you sign-in to the platform and we start the recording at the class start time.  The class session is recorded with all the attendee's audio and video feeds are on the recording.  So individuals must be on camera and signed into the portal once the recording starts (no exceptions!) or they will be locked out of the course, as required by NYSDOH.  As you see above, we are not allowed to have make-up time with these classes.

As for the training materials, and the exams, we've been using Administrate as our Learning Management System (LMS) since 2015.  Many of you have already been accessing the system for the course manual.  Now the exam will be online at that portal, too.  Course evaluations are also online at CourseCheck.com and have been online for two-three years now.

After the PAUSE, expect class sizes to be smaller in larger rooms to allow for social distancing.

Some other points, NYSDOH prohibits training providers from mailing blank DOH2832 forms to students.  The NYSDOH student information sheet is your official signature for the attendance sheets and the provider and NYSDOH copies of the DOH2832 forms.  Training providers will mail the students the completed student and New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) copies of the DOH2832 form.  Remember you must sign the NYSDOL copy of the DOH2832 form before sending it with your application, check, and the appendix to the license (child support form).

FEDTC looks forward to being able to provide this service to our clients.  Please remember we can only continue to provide this service if everyone complies with the NYSDOH rules.  All it could take is one person and NYSDOH may decide to discontinue this teleconferencing plan, at any time.