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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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Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Honoring Dr. Alice Hamilton For Women's History Month
Recently saw a tweet by the Young Workers honoring Dr. Alice Hamilton (For Women's history month -- Alice Hamilton (NIOSH video 1988; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E75pST2QTEM&feature=colike). It still surprises us when we see a video on the pioneers in the industrial hygiene field, discussing issues we are still dealing with today. Dr. Hamilton was dealing with imigrant labor being mistreated similar to what we see today with undocumented/illegal aliens. Dr. Hamilton also was dealing with workers being exposed to various toxic dusts and then the workers developing various diseases caused by these exposures. Today we still see this happening as we've written about in our current newsletter (Toxic Dusts - Demolition Implications). When will we learn from our previous mistakes? When will we stop the exposures and the resulting illnesses? When will we start to care?
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Kings Park Psychiatric Center's Lowest Bidder - Cause for Concern?
We recently received a copy of the range of bids on the Kings Park Psychiatric Center project. Though the low bidder is under the budgeted amount of $15 million (see Newsday article), the spread between them and the next bidder is $1.78 million. The spread between the second and third bidder was only approximately $230,000 and the average bid was $13.988 million. This spread and the fact the low bidder is half the average bid may or may not be cause for concern. It is important to remember that lowest bidder must be a responsible bidder. On this point there are two obvious concerns regarding the lowest bidder, first they are an out-of-state bidder (Indiana) and, as of February 21, 2012, they are not a New York State Licensed Asbestos Contractor. Under New York State Industrial Code Rule 56-3.1 (c), "a copy of a valid New York State Asbestos Handling License shall be submitted by the bidder prior to award of any contract all or part of which involves an asbestos project." At this point, unless the low bidder has a subcontractor doing the asbestos work involved with this contract, they cannot be awarded bid. In addition, out-of-state contractors always cause worries because it brings up questions like:
We have many clients who set-up post bid meetings (some even video tape these meetings) with the contractor and ensure the contractor understands all sections of the contract giving the contractor the opportunity to pull-out of the contract if they missed or misunderstood something. We strongly recommend the designers/owners of this project give this contractor every opportunity to withdraw their bid and make sure the contract is awarded to someone that understands and can meet all the requirements and intricacies of working inside New York State.
- Do they know New York State is a prevailing wage state (meaning you must pay workers on the project the prevailing wage rate for Suffolk County based on their job classification)?
- Do they know that New York State has asbestos regulations that are some of strictest in the country?
- Do they know that New York State requires all workers, including the operating engineers to have asbestos supervisor or handler certificates?
- Do they know that when you do controlled demolition (56-11.5) with asbestos in place in New York State you cannot salvage/recycle/or reuse the building materials, they all (except obvious must be disposed of as regulated asbestos containing materials (RACM)? This means the material have to be hauled by asbestos licensed hauler to an Environmental Protection Agency approved landfill that accepts RACM materials.
- Do they meet the insurance requirements in New York State, has their insurance provided riders or attachments for workers compensation and disability?
Controlled Demolition is covered under NYSDOL ICR 56 |
Related articles
- NYCDEP Issues Advisory Memo (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- What Happened with NYS ELAP Ceiling Tile Analysis? (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Kings Park Psychiatric Center Goes Up For Bid (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
NYCDEP Issues Advisory Memo
We recently received an advisory memorandum from Mr. Steven A. Camaiore, P.E., the Director of the Asbestos Control Program for New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP). The Advisory had several important points and interesting bits of information. For example did you know NYCDEP was issuing violations directly to asbestos handlers for obvious violations in which the handler was directly at fault? Some of the violations they have issued are:
Another enforcement action NYCDEP announced was giving applicants until March 15, 2012 to close out projects filed in the January and February of 2011. Applicants are required to close-out their project(s), NYCDEP, with this memo, is notifying applicants that if their project is still open after March 15 they will take enforcement action. In addition, NYCDEP will begin strictly enforcing the following sub-sections of the asbestos regulations:
- worker not wearing gloves,
- worker engaged in dry removal,
- worker not taking a shower,
- or a worker altering their certificate.
Asbestos Supervisors are already getting violations for dry removal or 5 or more violations on the site. |
- 1-26 (e) Failure to terminate asbestos abatement permit within year
- 1-44(d) Analysis and Reporting Results
- 1-112 (m) Additional Clean-up Procedures (Final)
- 1-28 (h) Clean-up Procedures: Preparation for Clearance Air Monitoring
Related articles
- NYC DEP Plans Increase In Enforcement On Asbestos Investigators (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Asbestos company owners convicted on criminal charges in Italy; but asbestos still lethal and legal in the US (scienceblogs.com)
- Audits Planned for Asbestos Inspections (green.blogs.nytimes.com)
- NIOSH Blog Discusses Erionite (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- What Happened with NYS ELAP Ceiling Tile Analysis? (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- 16th Annual PACNY Environmental Conference Being Held March 1 & 2, 2012 (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Fact Sheet About Third-Hand Smoke, Hookahs, & E Cigarettes
We recently read a fact sheet on Third-Hand Smoke, Hookahs, and Electronic Cigarettes that will eventually be available on the website: www.smokefreeapartments.org.
Image via Wikipedia |
Which brings us back to the question what is third-hand smoke? Third-hand smoke is that smell of smoke you get from places where individuals have smoked. Third-hand smoke consists of the chemicals which remain in a room after the smoking has stopped. Many of the chemicals in cigarette smoke can cling to walls, ceilings, & other surfaces or can absorb into carpets, drapes, & other fabrics. A scientific study in 2002 showed that these chemicals can "offgas" back into the air & even re-combine to form harmful compounds that stay at high levels long after smoking has stopped.
The fact sheet is even more interesting when discussing Hookahs which has become because of the false notion that it is safer than smoking cigarettes. Studies have shown that secondhand hookah smoke contains the same cancer-causing chemicals found in secondhad smoke from cigarettes & cigars, along with delivering three times more carbon monoxide, about the same amount of nicotine as cigarettes, and 40% more smoke by volume than cigarettes.While it seems their is not enough information available yet on e-cigarettes. As a whole the fact sheet was very interesting and the website gives resources on banning smoking in apartments, which based on the fact sheet, we would highly recommend building owners develop procedures and rules on handling secondhand and now third-hand smoke.
Related articles
- Secondhand smoke results in graft rejection (eurekalert.org)
- The "New" Cigarette We're All Smoking (Myself Included) (fancyayancey.wordpress.com)
- What exactly are Electronic- Cigarettes? (boldstate.com)
- Second hand smoke in cars still big risk for kids, study says (parentcentral.ca)
- Cigarettes and Smoking Should Be Illegal (thusspokejon.wordpress.com)
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
16th Annual PACNY Environmental Conference Being Held March 1 & 2, 2012
6th Annual PACNY Environmental Conference Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, NY
Thursday
& Friday, March 1st & 2nd, 2012
This years Speakers are:
Vendor
Tradeshow Registration
Display
your products and services in the Vendor Hall, adjacent to PACNY Conference
Meeting Hall, to over 250 decision makers in the asbestos/environmental
industry. The PACNY conference averages over 250 attendees - the majority of
attendees are decision makers/buyers.
Last
year's conference was very popular with all vendors. Foot
traffic in the Vendor Hall was at an all time high. Registration, breakfast,
and all coffee breaks will once again be held in the Vendor Hall (adjacent to
Conference Meeting Hall) on both days. Also, vendor punch cards will be
distributed to all attendees. Attendees that have their punch cards
"punched" by all vendors will be eligible for a drawing, held on
the second day, for a flat screen TV (winner must be present to claim prize).
The
Thursday (March 1st) afternoon Vendor Reception is
held in the Vendor Hall.
Sponsor Options
Conference
and Vendor Sponsors are the hosts (with no additional responsibilities) for
the Thursday afternoon Vendor Reception held in the Vendor Hall. This
reception is held at 4PM immediately after the last speaker's presentation on
Day 1 of the conference. Hot food, drinks, and adult beverages are provided
at the reception. This is an outstanding opportunity to network and display
your products/services to approximately 250 industry professionals! Last year
the Vendor Reception was the highlight of the conference.
Conference
Sponsor: $1,000.00
Includes
vendor display table, 3 conference passes, 1 page ad in conference program,
listing on sponsor board in registration area, logo display on speaker
backdrop in conference area, logo on PACNY website as conference sponsor, and
logo/firm name on the outside of pre-conference mailings and registration
forms (mailed to over 6,000 industry professionals).
Vendor
Sponsor: $500.00
Includes
vendor display table, 2 conference passes, 1/2 page ad in conference program,
listing on sponsor board in registration area, and logo display on speaker
backdrop in conference area.
Meal
Sponsor: $250.00
Includes
your company name and logo on large tent cards on all lunch tables, on both
days of the conference, as well as a 1/2 page ad in the conference program.
Meal Sponsors will be announced to attendees prior to both days' lunches.
Business
Card Sponsor: $50.00
Display
your "business card" ad, 1/4 page ad, in the conference program.
To secure your
sponsorship...
Please
download the form here
as a PDF, complete it and fax /email
the form to the info on the form.
Payment
is due no later than February 18th.
For
additional information please call either Deb Johnson @ 716-570-6726/
Conference
Attendee Registration Form
Wednesday Evening's
President's Reception, February 29th, 7 - 9PM
Registration by February 18th $225 for one reservation, both days $175 per person for two or more persons, both days $120 per person for one day only
Turning Stone - Room Reservations by February 18th
$115 per night + tax + gratuity $79 per night + tax + gratuity with government voucher For Room Reservations, call Turning Stone at (800) 771- 7711
For
additional conference information please call either Deb Johnson @
716-570-6726/
PACNY, PO Box 3148,
Syracuse, NY 13220, Phone (315) 466-3150, Fax (315) 437-1440, www.PACNY.org
|
About PACNY
PACNY addresses the needs and concerns of abatement
contractors, and those in related industries.
The abatement industry faces many challenges, and this
organization allows contractors to band together to face these challenges,
rather than alone as individual businesses.
PACNY is a powerful, intelligent voice and force in the industry. PACNY's new address is: PO Box 3148
Syracuse, NY 13220
Tel: (315) 466-3150
|
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Toxic Dusts - Demolition Implications
We have posted our Winter-Spring 2012 Newsletter on our website. The main article discusses the implications of toxic dusts on demolition, disaster relief, and emergency response workers. This is an issue I feel really strongly about and if my recommendations are taken seriously, maybe there will be no need for any Zadroga Bills to deal with 9/11 type illnesses in the future.
Related articles
Demolition, Emergency Response, and Disaster Relief Workers should wear respirators when they respond. |
Related articles
- WCO - the role of Customs in natural disaster relief (mpoverello.com)
- Disaster Relief Dirigible -Via Yanko Design (overview-effect.com)
- Kings Park Psychiatric Center Demolition Up For Bid (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- CDC Website Discusses Earthquakes (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Friday, January 20, 2012
This Saturday Is The Taste of Spring Event - See You There!
Even though it seems winter has only just arrived, it makes you wonder if spring will be late, too. To help you get in the mood for spring and breakaway from the winter doldrums for one night, the Board of Directors and staff of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center are hosting their 6th annual winter cocktail party, “A Taste of Spring”, on Saturday, January 21st.
This event is being held once again at the Main Greenhouse at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park and hosted by Vinnie Simeone and the Arboretum staff. Visitors will enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres prepared by Pat Spafford of Periwinkles, while taking in the melodic sounds of tree frogs and the wonderful aromas of tropical flowers. This fun event will allow community members to mingle with fellow sanctuary supporters and get an up close view of the Sanctuary's birds of prey while having their questions answered about local wildlife and the Nature Center. Proceeds from the event will support the programs and services offered by Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center.
Time: 6:00PM on Saturday, January 21
Always a Great Event with Some Great People |
Time: 6:00PM on Saturday, January 21
Place: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
Cost: $85 per person (reservations required)
Reservations are required and limited to the first 100 patrons. Please call Brooke Roeper
or Ted Scherff for more details and to purchase tickets. (516) 922-3200.
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