Con Edison Steam Explosion exposes Respirator Errors

Even after 9/11, we still have not learned the proper use for respirators. Police officers at the site are wearing the appropriate respirator but are they wearing it incorrectly? From the photo above what is wrong with the picture? The workers have their masks on but I bet they didn't perform a user seal check to make sure it was on correctly and working properly. As you can see from the photo the bottom straps have not been attached. The straps not being connected allows the bottom of the respirator to remain open. Since air will take the path of least resistance, it means everytime these officers breathe, the contaminants that they are to be protected from will enter the respirator from the bottom without filtering. The fact that several officers were seen wearing their respirators in this manner indicates that officers need further training on properly wearing a respirator.

The second photo shows people traveling through the area of the steam explosion. It was also noted in the Newday article "Little Risk From Asbestos" (Friday, July 20, 2007) that the Red Cross reported distributing 1,200 dust masks to city workers and commuters since Wednesday night. The problem here is that dust masks do not filter for asbestos. Another problem is that dust masks unless properly fit tested and adjusted to the face, will not ensure all the air passes through the mask instead of going around the mask. The best these masks are doing is providing the individual with a false sense of security that if there is any exposure that they are protected.

My final concern is the manner of the clean-up. I already saw several photos/videos of workers using dry sweeping clean-up the debris. This work procedure unless used together with amended water (dust suppression agent) will cause any asbestos dust in the debris to become airborne, again. Exposing workers and the public to asbestos, hence it is important to continue to monitor the clean-up of the explosion area. This will ensure that work procedures that cause the asbestos dust to become airborne are prevented.

Metro NY AIHA hosts Chris Alonge at their May 16 Meeting

May 16, 2007, Chris Alonge spoke at the Metro NY AIHA meeting held at New York Blood Center. Mr. Alonge is the writer of the current NYS Industrial Code Rule 56. Mr. Alonge had alot of new things to say in his presentation:

• Industrial Code Rule 56 was edited and resubmitted for review. The current version is now available at http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/safetyhealth/PDFs/Asbestos/Code%20Rule%2056-final-version-corrected.pdf and is dated March 21, 2007. The changes that were made are marked in red so you can see what was changed.


• Two new variances are being released. You can find these two new variances at http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/safetyhealth/DOSH_CODE_RULE_56_TRANSITION.shtm.


• NYSDOL has produced an Asbestos Variance Fact Sheet to help designers understand the different types of variances. This fact sheet can be found at the same link as above.


• However the Guidance Document (FAQ) that is online has not been updated yet. Unfortunately this document will not be updated as much as they originally intended.


• In addition, Mr. Alonge made a statement regarding non-friable asbestos waste disposal which caused a little bit of stir. Mr. Alonge indicated that NYS DEC was not in compliance with EPA requirements for non-friable asbestos waste disposal. That non-friable asbestos cannot go to construction waste landfills but must go to landfills approved to accept asbestos waste. Unfortunately, it was not clear exactly how to interpet his comments.


• Mr. Germano is no longer in charge of the Asbestos Control Bureau. The new sheriff in town is Robert Perez. If his name sounds familar, it should, because Mr. Perez was the first head of the Asbestos Control Bureau when the regulations first came out back in 1988.

We thank Mr. Alonge for making himself available for these presentations. It will be interesting to see how all these changes play out with a new State administration (Governor) but also a new Asbestos Control Bureau administration.

Parkway Village, Queens, NY is hit with $117,000 OSHA fine.

Parkway Village Equities Corp., a residential complex, located at 81-26 150th Street, Queens, NYwas cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for nine violations of health and safety standards following an inspection begun November 1, 2006 in response to a complaint.

OSHA found that Parkway employees entered into crawlspaces known to contain asbestos or presumed ACM. OSHA found that Parkway did not perform personal air monitoring to determine the employee's exposure leve when entering the crawl space. Parkway also did not inform the workers of the presence, location, and quantities of asbestos; did not institute a training program; and did not label the materials as asbestos containing materials. Fo the above violations, OSHA issued Parkway four willful citations carrying a proposed fine of $112,000.

In addition, OSHA also found five serious violations and fined Parkway an additional $5,000 for failing to provide appropriate hand, eye, and face protection; respirator safety deficiencies; a lack of quick-drenching eyewashes; the absence of a hazard communication program; and failing to properly label and dispose of asbestos-contaminated material.

Space Deodorants May Cause Reduced Lung Function

A study done by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has determined that the volatile organic compound 1, 4 dichlorobenzene (1,4 DCB) may cause a modest reduction in lung function. 1,4 DCB is a white solid compound with a distinctive aroma and is typically found in space deodorants such as many air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, mothballs, and other deodorizing products. According to Stephanie London, M.D., the lead investigator for the NIEHS study, "even a small reduction in lung function may indicate some harm to the lungs" and "the best way to protect yourself, especially children who may have asthma or other respiratory illnesses, is to reduce the use of products and materials that contain these compounds." Isn't it interesting how people looking for better smelling air (better air quality?) end up making their air worse (harmful?) by choosing products that try to simulate nature but don't quite smell right. There are plenty of books and information out there on creating natural deodorants for the home, but probably the best will be to open a window and let the fresh air in (assuming you don't live in a city with air quality problems).

Pandemic Flu

April 18, I attended a joint American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)/American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) local chapter meeting at On the Border: Mexican Grill & Cantina in Hicksville, NY regarding the Pandemic Flu presented by Susan V. Donelan, M.D., Director of Healthcare Epidemiology Department from Stony Brook University Medical Center. Ms. Donelan's presentation was very interesting. One important point I took from the meeting was the need for businesses to make plans where 40-60% of their work staff may be sick, tending to someone who is sick, or may not come in because of concerns of getting sick. With statistics like that it is no wonder that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a "OSHA Guidance Update on Protecting Employees from Avian Flu Viruses." Avian Flu is a highly pathogenic avian H5N1 virus that is spreading across eastern Asia and other countries. This virus has not been able to spread from human to human, yet. However, health officials just figure it is only a matter of time before that occurs. The document contains recommendations for poultry employees and those who handle other animals, and for laboratory employees, healthcare personnel, food handlers, travelers, and workers stationed abroad. The document's focus is on good hygiene as well as respiratory protection. On my current contract it is interesting that some of the schools I monitor have already included Pandemic Planning into their Emergency Plans. Has your business developed a plan for handling 60% of your staff being out of work? If a Pandemic is going to occur, and the only question is when, what are you waiting for?

Could this happen to you?

Aapex Environmental Services of Liverpool, New York was hit with a $57,000 fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Aapex was hit with this fine based on an inspection begun on November 13, 2006 which found that Aapex was exposing employees to asbestos during an asbestos removal project at the Agway Building in Dewitt, New York. The OSHA inspection found the following:

• required monitoring of employees' exposure to asbestos was not conducted on several occasions even though monitoring records alleged that it had been done (OSHA issued a willful citation with a proposed fine of $42,000).
• short term (excursion limit) sampling was not done.
• the contractor did not keep accurate exposure monitoring records.
• employees were not notified of sampling results.
• employees were not trained to properly establish an asbestos containment system.
• contractor did not prevent asbestos contaminated water from leaking from an enclosed work area.

For the last five violations, OSHA issued serious citations totaling $15,000. The willful citation is issued when OSHA determines that the employer commits a violation with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. A serious violation is issued when OSHA determines death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Preventing these types of violations requires the development and adherence to a personal air sampling plan. The air sampling plan should properly document all segments of personal air sampling. The plan should include the number of people you will sample, calibration of equipment, documentation of who is sampled and the work tasks performed, documentation of the laboraotry accreditations, procedures for collecting samples and ensuring the samples are individually numbered, ensuring the chain of custody is completed correctly, and maintaining these records for 30 years from date of creation. The information from this plan then assists with documenting the proper respiratory protection used by the workers and assists with the respiratory protection plan and the exposure assessment for the project and future projects.

Is Saturn Dying?

As many of you know, I drive a 1995 Saturn SL1. In 1995, Saturn was a relatively new car company that was designed with the idea of changing the way cars were sold. It had alot of great ideas, the "no dicker sticker", well built cars moderate size cars, making the sale of the car an event, and many other such things. For example, the Saturn SL1 had one of the best insurance rates, gas mileage rating is 22 to 28 mpg,and when I bought my car my photo was taken with the car and I was sent the photo attached to a calendar. I was invited to the Tennessee plant for festivities, and invited to help build parks for children. Being a Saturn owner, you were part of a community. However, Saturn now appears to be on its last legs. On Long Island there is only one dealer and we all know the problems General Motors is having. Saturn has lost its way and it is a shame. I will be in the market for a new car soon and I would have loved to get another Saturn, but Saturn is not the customer friendly company it used to be. In a world where the cars are roughly the same, the winner for me is the company that brings customer service to the party.

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