Under the New York State Department of Labor's (NYS DOL) Industrial Code Rule 56, if you have an Asbestos Certificate (any one of them project monitor, inspector, etc.) and want to work for yourself (self-employed or working on an IRS 1099 form), you also need to get an Asbestos Company License. In New York State if you employ a person with an Asbestos Certificate they can work under your license. However, if they are independent, subcontractor, or 1099 worker they must have their own Asbestos Company License (either non-abatement or abatement, dependent upon what certificate the individual has). The fine for not having a company license is $2,500. The cost of a company license is $500 for the initial license and $300 for the renewal (which is annual).
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.
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Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Deutsche Bank Fire Defendants All Acquitted Of Charges.
Last week, the three defendants charged with manslaughter and other charges of causing the fatalities at the former Deutsche Bank building, were acquitted of all charges. The jury cleared two former managers, Jeffrey Melofchik and Salvatore DePaolo, on June 29, while the Criminal Court Judge Rena K. Uviller acquitted Mitchel Alvo, on July 6. Uviller also tossed out the major charges against the subcontractor, The John Galt Corp., convicting the company only of a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment.
Defense attorneys were able to convince the judge and jury that the actual causes were more complicated. Those complications included:
Image via Wikipedia
The former Deutsche Bank building was undergoing asbestos abatement and demolition at the time of the fire in 2007, that caused the death of firefighters Robert Beddia 53, and Joseph Graffagnino, 33, who died trying to fight the blaze. Charges included multiple counts of negligent homicide, manslaughter and reckless endangerment.Defense attorneys were able to convince the judge and jury that the actual causes were more complicated. Those complications included:
- New York City Fire Dept. did not abide by the 15-day rule of inspections
- Errors made by the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. (LMDC)
- The negative air system used in the abatement caused rising smoke to descend and block the firefighters vision.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
If a Natural Disaster Occurred, Are You Ready to Help?"
Image via Wikipedia
The June issue of the Environmental Marketer Newsletter written by Paul Cochrane, of Cochrane and Associates, asks -"If a Natural Disaster Occurred Tomorrow, Would Your Environmental Business Be Ready to Help?" Considering 2011 has been a historic year for natural disasters, we've seen everything from flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, and tsunamis. With hurricane season just starting and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting this season as being above average with as many as 10 hurricanes. Is your business prepared to help is an appropriate question.Unfortunately, when tragedy hits for some people,it leads to opportunities for others. This article discusses how these opportunities will only come your way if your business is prepared. In defining prepared, this article is not talking about logistics of handling work but rather what are you doing to market yourself and make sure you are the one being called upon to provide the services or products needed.
So how do you position an environmental or IAQ business for something that hasn't even happened? Here are a few marketing and public relations concepts, from Mr. Cochrane, that can help:
- Online content - Develop information for the company website for dealing with various natural disasters.
- Online videos - Similar to the concept above, create and post on the company website, as well as on YouTube, online videos about preventing and managing natural disasters.
- Marketing Collateral - Have materials ready and available to hand out that deal with all the natural disasters found in the areas your company services.
The following was just a summation of the article visit http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs067/1102452067835/archive/1106250374002.html for further information. Be prepared and be safe this season.
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- Fleeing natural disasters (search.japantimes.co.jp)
- Safeguarding Your Finances Against Natural Disasters (askthemoneycoach.com)
- U.S. City Most Prone to Natural Disasters (ldsemergencypreparedness.wordpress.com)
- Life360 App Helps You Track Others During Natural Disasters (brighthub.com)
- Asbestos Dangers Crop Up In Japan's Disaster (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- CDC Providing Resourses for Hurricane Preparedness (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- 6 months in and costliest year already (echlinm.wordpress.com)
- NYT: Drought in 14 states means disaster for many - US news - The New York Times - msnbc.com (livingstrongandhappy.blogspot.com)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Summer & Fall 2011 Future Focus Now Available Online
Could This Asbestos Mine Reopen? |
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- Daily Show Exposes Asbestos Hypocrisy in Quebec Canada (futureenv.blogspot.com)
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- Quebec Government Decides to Back Loan to Restart Asbestos Mine (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Friday, July 08, 2011
CMM Realty Alleged to Have Violated OSH Act and Clean Air Act
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has sued CMM Realty Inc. for allegedly firing an employee who voiced and reported workplace and environmental concerns regarding asbestos at one of the company's worksites.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Columbia Division, alleges that the company violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act when it terminated the individual's employment. OSHA is asking that the court provide him all appropriate relief, including reinstatement to his former position, back pay, interest and compensatory damages, as well as prohibit the defendant from future violations.
On May 13, 2009, the employee voiced concerns to the owner of CMM Realty concerning asbestos exposure at the company's Briargate Condominiums. The following day, he filed complaints with the South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Conservations. Both agencies conducted inspections and issued citations against CMM Realty for violating asbestos control standards. On that same day, the employee was informed that his services were no longer needed. On May 18, he was notified officially of his termination from the company.
In June 2009, the employee filed a whistleblower complaint with OSHA. After conducting an investigation, the agency found that CMM Realty unlawfully had terminated the individual's employment for reporting concerns to management about exposure to asbestos and for filing complaints with the two state agencies. In November 2010, OSHA enforced the whistleblower provisions of the Clean Air Act by ordering the company to reinstate the whistleblower and pay him $56,222 in compensatory damages and back wages, which continue to accumulate while he is out of work. The company appealed that order to the department's Office of Administrative Law Judges, where it awaits review.
OSHA is now suing the company in federal court for violating Section 11(c) of the OSH Act, which forbids companies from discriminating against an employee because he or she has filed a complaint with OSHA.
CMM Realty Inc. is a real estate management corporation with its main office in Columbia, S.C.
OSHA is represented in federal district court by the Labor Department's Office of the Solicitor.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Columbia Division, alleges that the company violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act when it terminated the individual's employment. OSHA is asking that the court provide him all appropriate relief, including reinstatement to his former position, back pay, interest and compensatory damages, as well as prohibit the defendant from future violations.
On May 13, 2009, the employee voiced concerns to the owner of CMM Realty concerning asbestos exposure at the company's Briargate Condominiums. The following day, he filed complaints with the South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Conservations. Both agencies conducted inspections and issued citations against CMM Realty for violating asbestos control standards. On that same day, the employee was informed that his services were no longer needed. On May 18, he was notified officially of his termination from the company.
In June 2009, the employee filed a whistleblower complaint with OSHA. After conducting an investigation, the agency found that CMM Realty unlawfully had terminated the individual's employment for reporting concerns to management about exposure to asbestos and for filing complaints with the two state agencies. In November 2010, OSHA enforced the whistleblower provisions of the Clean Air Act by ordering the company to reinstate the whistleblower and pay him $56,222 in compensatory damages and back wages, which continue to accumulate while he is out of work. The company appealed that order to the department's Office of Administrative Law Judges, where it awaits review.
OSHA is now suing the company in federal court for violating Section 11(c) of the OSH Act, which forbids companies from discriminating against an employee because he or she has filed a complaint with OSHA.
CMM Realty Inc. is a real estate management corporation with its main office in Columbia, S.C.
OSHA is represented in federal district court by the Labor Department's Office of the Solicitor.
Related articles
- OSHA Updates Indoor Air Quality Guide (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- OSHA Business Regulations (thinkup.waldenu.edu)
- OSHA New Heat Illness Web Page (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- OSHA cites York County company for fatal trench collapse in December (pennlive.com)
- OSHA Fines Honeywell, Citing 17 'Serious Violations' at Uranium Facility (talkingunion.wordpress.com)
- OSHA at 40 (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Thursday, July 07, 2011
North Country Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo a Success
FED Booth at the North Country Business Expo |
The 186 exhibitors ranged from Champlain Vally Hospital, AT&T, to a local pharmacy. Some interesting included Nova Bus, Lake City Fire Equipment, and the Wild Center. Lake City Fire Equipment (www.lakecityfireequipment.com) does training, service, sale, and inspection of fire extinguishers. While The Wild Center (http://wildcenter.org/index.php) is a not-for-profit organization located on a 31-acre site in the Town of Tupper Lake, NY near the geographic center of the Adirondack Park. The Wild Center is dedicated to understanding the Adirondack Park, and is committed to helping people explore not a small collection, but one that lives and breathes across the entire expanse of the Adirondacks.
Though the venue was very hot and stifling at times, we had a great event and made several new contacts. We set several goals for the Business Expo to assist our business (primary goal was to increase the contacts we had in the area), and we feel these goals were accomplished, making this a very worthwhile event.
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Wednesday, July 06, 2011
EPA Issues Press Release On Reducing Asthma Attacks During Summer
Image via WikipediaThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that hot weather can cause ozone levels to rise, making the air unhealthy to breathe, especially for people with asthma or other respiratory ailments. Throughout the hot summer months, it’s important to pay close attention to the air quality. Like the weather, air quality can change from day to day or even hour to hour, and can have a serious affect on people’s health.
For information on EPA’s regional asthma program and other asthma triggers please see: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/awm
The Air Quality Index uses a color-coded system to display whether the five major air pollutants exceed air quality standards for the day. When the Air Quality Index reports unhealthy levels, people, particularly asthmatics and others with respiratory ailments, should limit strenuous outdoor activities.
During the summer when ozone levels rise, the number of people with asthma related symptoms admitted to hospitals and emergency rooms increases. Asthma rates – especially among children – have increased dramatically. Asthma affects 25 million people in the United States, including seven million children. That’s 8 percent of the population. One out of every 10 school-aged children is affected. In addition to talking with health care providers, these steps can help prevent an asthma episode:
- Play it safe. Ground-level ozone and particle pollution can make an asthma episode even worse. Look for the Air Quality Index (AQI) during the local weather report or go to EPA’s website http://www.airnow.gov
- Don’t smoke in the home. Take it outside. One of the most common asthma triggers in the home is second- hand smoke. Take the EPA ‘smoke-free home’ pledge: http://www.epa.gov/smokefree
- Break the mold. Mold is another asthma trigger. The key to controlling mold is controlling moisture. Wash and dry hard surfaces to prevent and remove mold. Remove, and if possible replace, moldy ceiling tiles and carpet. For more see EPA’s website: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/molds.html
For information on EPA’s regional asthma program and other asthma triggers please see: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/awm
To hear an audio podcast about asthma: http://www.epa.gov/region2/mediacenter/podcast.html
Related articles
- OSHA Updates Indoor Air Quality Guide (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- OSHA New Heat Illness Web Page (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- The Link Between Air Pollution and Asthma (everydayhealth.com)
- The Asthma Epidemic (sjeddington.wordpress.com)
- Hot, Muggy Weather Hits New York; Air Quality Alert Issued (newyork.cbslocal.com)
- What weather conditions bring out asthma symptoms? (zocdoc.com)
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