According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) today September 5 is N95 Day. NIOSH says, "N95 Day is a time to recognize the importance of respiratory protection in the workplace and familiarize yourself with the resources available to help you make educated decisions when selecting and wearing a respirator." To celebrate, NIOSH will be providing N95 filtering facepiece respirator information through social media channels such as a Twitter chat, a webinar, and new infographics. For more information visit there website at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/N95Day.html.
Interesting thing to us is why celebrate the N95 filtering facepiece respirators? Filtering facepiece respirators have their place in protecting workers from respiratory hazards, however, that place is very limited. This type of respirator cannot and should not be used for respirable dusts like asbestos or lead. Nor should it be used for vapors or mists or gases. As the picture above from Ground Zero - 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup shows, knowing which respirator to wear was one of the problems for the workers who worked there. The picture shows workers wearing filtering facepiece respirators and half mask air purifying respirators. Considering the contaminants (asbestos, mercury, PCBs, to name a few) at the site, filtering facepiece respirators should not have been a choice at all. This is probably the main reason to have an N95 day is to make sure people understand the limitations of this type of respirator. But why limit it to filtering facepiece respirators, we should be celebrating all respirators! So for our part we say Happy Respirator Day!
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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Friday, September 05, 2014
Monday, September 01, 2014
September 11 Deadline for World Trade Center Workers
If you were one of the workers who worked (whether you were injured, or employed, or volunteered) at Ground Zero, Fresh Kills Landfill, the barges, the piers, and the morgues you have until September 11 to register with the New York State Workers' Compensation Board to preserve your right to future benefits.
This includes workers who helped in the rescue, recovery,and cleanup of the World Trade Center. Workers should complete form WTC-12 (http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/forms/wtc-12.pdf). For more information visit the World Trade Center Registry at: http://www.wcb.ny.gov/WTC12/WTC12.jsp
This includes workers who helped in the rescue, recovery,and cleanup of the World Trade Center. Workers should complete form WTC-12 (http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/forms/wtc-12.pdf). For more information visit the World Trade Center Registry at: http://www.wcb.ny.gov/WTC12/WTC12.jsp
Thursday, August 28, 2014
OSHA Releases New Respiratory Protection Directive
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued directive number CPL 02-00-158 "Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard". This new directive gives instructions to OSHA compliance safety officers and area directors on interpretations and enforcement policies for enforcing the respirator standard 1910.134. This directive cancels and supersedes the previous directive CPL 02-00-120 dated September 25, 1998. Directives are used by OSHA to ensure the standards are enforced uniformly across the country. These directives are useful resources in that they inform the industry, and employers how OSHA intends on enforcing the respirator standard.
Changes to this revision include: updated definitions section to include definitions for assigned protection factors (APF) and maximum use concentrations (MUC); greater clarification on voluntary respirator use, and a better explanation of a compliant respirator program and provides additional acceptable methods to assess respiratory hazards; updates the directive with information related to the revised Hazard Communication standard (1910.1200); and provides guidance on evaluating the need for respiratory protection for chemicals used in workplaces by referring to employer's Hazard Communication program wherein chemical manufacturers communicated the need for respiratory protection.
According to this directive if employers require employees to wear respirators for the protection against TB they must be in compliance with the respirator standard 1910.134. Probably the most interesting portions of the directive are the modifications to voluntary use of respirators. According to the directive, it was the intent of the standard that the employer would not be required to incur any costs associated with voluntary use of filtering facepiece respirators (dust masks) other than providing a copy of Appendix D of the standard to each user. OSHA is concerned that voluntary use may cause an employee's health being jeopardized by the wearing of a respirator, or the wearing of a dirty respirator that can cause dermatitis or ingestion of a hazardous chemical, and the sharing of a respirator that leads to transmittal of disease.
Voluntary use of filtering facepiece respirators is one of the most misunderstood sections of the respirator standard. Some points from the directive: NIOSH-approved filtering facepieces are strongly recommended but are not required; voluntary use does not require the employer to have a written program; and merely posting Appendix D is not considered adequate.
The directive is a useful resource to give employers an indication of how OSHA will enforce the respirator standard and it is a useful tool to help avoid citations or to fight violations.
Muster einer Atemluft-Einwegmaske (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The directive is a useful resource to give employers an indication of how OSHA will enforce the respirator standard and it is a useful tool to help avoid citations or to fight violations.
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Friday, July 25, 2014
NYSDOH Announces The Imminent Availability of Vermiculite Analysis
On July 22, 2014, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) sent out a follow up communication to the July 9, 2013 interim guidance letter. This communication is regarding the imminent availability of two new NYSDOH Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP)-approved methods for the detection and quantitation of asbestos content in spray-on fireproofing that contains vermiculite. The communication indicates that these new methods will be available by October 31, 2014. Click here for the July 9 2013 letter and click here for the new communication. Otherwise you can find both communications at our website http://futureenvironmentdesigns.com/resources.html click on the FED Training CD in the Helpful Links and Info folder.
After October 31, 2014, one of the two methods must be used to test sprayed-on fireproofing regardless of the percent of vermiculite. This document does not indicate any information about the methods other than the asbestos inspector must collect a minimum of 10 grams of the sprayed-on fireproofing (versus the 100-500 milligrams for 198.1 and 198.6). Nor does it indicate what labs will be doing this analysis. In addition, the two methods are only for vermiculite-containing sprayed-on fireproofing. Other materials still must use the 2013 interim communication with the disclaimer and bulk vermiculite is still asbestos containing material (ACM).
The new communication is interesting for its lack of information. First it does not indicate anything about the new methods other than the need for a larger quantity of material. It gives no indication of what it will take to analyze the material, what the turnaround will be, who the laboratories will be, costs, etc. It is specifically only for vermiculite containing sprayed-on fireproofing. In addition, it means an asbestos inspector will need to add a new tool to the sampling kit, a scale. Taking a sufficient sample that ensures the laboratory gets a minimum of 10 grams. Maybe not that difficult, but could be annoying if you make a mistake. Don't forget you are still required to take either 3-5-7 or 9 samples of the sprayed-on fireproofing and it only takes one sample for the homogeneous material to be positive for asbestos. Even more interesting was industry implications on the last page of the communication. That stated after October 31, 2014 you are required to use one of the two methods to analyze vermiculite containing sprayed-on fireproofing, not surprising. Though it is based on what stage your project is in. Needless to say we look forward to hearing more about the new methods and the real implications they will have on the asbestos industry.
Vermiculite-containing Sprayed-on Fireproofing is the focus of the communication |
日本語: バーミキュライト (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Monday, July 21, 2014
PACNY's Second Annual ProAm Fishing Derby, is Bigger & Better!
On Wednesday, July
16th Future Environment Designs (FED) participated in the ProfessionalAbatement Contractors of New York's (PACNY's) second annual ProAm Fishing
Derby. The fishing derby was held on
Lake Ontario with the boats leaving from Point Breeze, New York at Oak Orchard
Creek. This year there were 20 boats participating in the Fishing Derby versus
13 boats, last year. Very nice increase
for a new event. PACNY's Darren Yehl had
his hands full organizing this event which was the equivalent of herding cats. The day started out beautiful with a nice blue sky with some clouds.
Sunrise on Lake Ontario |
Future Environment
Designs (Angelo and Veronica Garcia) had the pleasure of teaming with Watts
Architecture & Engineering (Greg Andrews and Scott Matthews) on Captain
Mike's boat the Intimidator. As the day went on, clouds started rolling in and the day got cooler. Every so often when the sun would break through it would be nice and warm. However, the lake was rough
and we were glad that we took our Dramamine before going out on the boat.
Angelo and Veronica Garcia, Capt Mike, Greg Andrews, & Scott Matthews, from left to right |
Last year's Fishing Derby we caught quite a
few salmon and hardly anything else.
This year our team caught quite few different fish, including Lake
Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Atlantic Salmon.
Last year, we caught a 22.02 lb salmon (placing fifth) and our team's
total weight was 64.59 lbs (placing
second). This year we caught a 22.32 lb
salmon (placing first) and our team's total was 69.75 lbs (placing second).
The Fishing Derby's Tally Board |
As usual we had a
great time with our fellow boaters and the food at the Black North Inn, after
the fishing derby, was delicious. It's
funny how we're always asked is it worth being a member of PACNY? Especially since we are located on Long
Island and the organization does not do much in the New York City/downstate
area. Our reply is usually always the
same, a resounding Yes! What other
organization focuses on New York issues in asbestos abatement and environmental
remediation; provides opportunities to network with suppliers, contractors,
consultants, and clients; and the annual Environmental Conference only gets
better every year providing access to the regulators and information on
upcoming trends. In our view all of this
is well worth the membership fee and like most things it is only as good as
what you put into it.
What's for Dinner? |
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