Asbestos certification and violation fine notice, n.d.

z z -< o o sample and analyze for asbestos and inform all school employees and co S parent-teacher organizations of the location of friable asbestos. State Laws TJ o The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s c CT o o Right-To-Know law authorizes worker inquiry into workplace hazards. o' JS- Under this law an employee can find out whether exposure to toxic "□ o to a> substances has taken place and what measures can be taken to mitigate 00 o the dangers. If an employee does not receive this information from the 9L O employer within 72 hours of requesting it, he/she has the legal right to sbestos, once thought to be a wonder o o refuse to work in the vicinity of the questionable substance. The agency material for use in insulation, c also requires asbestos haulers to obtain a permit when transporting 500 3 pounds or more of asbestos waste. fireproofing and textiles, is now CD 3

In the spring of 1985 new State legislation was adopted that requires known to be associated with lung disease and other Statewide licensing of, as well as stricter standards for, those who remove serious illnesses. Although asbestos has proved to and dispose of asbestos. The City of New York supports State Contractor licensing legislation because uniform safety measures, coupled with close be hazardous, its danger can be greatly diminished state-supervised monitoring, will decrease the hazards created by through careful handling and strict monitoring of improper work with this material. In addition, this State legislation all asbestos-related work. allows the revoking of a contractor’s license for failure to comply with safeguards, a penalty that would act as a powerful deterrent. Recent media coverage and litigation have New York City’s Program increased the focus on the asbestos issue but the The New York City Air Code prohibits the emission of any, “air public has often been left confused. New York City contaminant containing asbestos, except where such an air contaminant shares the public’s growing concern over this is emitted from the brake lining of a motor vehicle during normal use.” Although this article bans the use of asbestos in new products and hazardous air pollutant and has responded by buildings, it does not specify procedures for renovation and demolition developing strong asbestos control programs. As a work that would disturb already existing asbestos material. Therefore, New York City has undertaken a comprehensive control program to complement to these programs, it is critical that the further protect the public from exposure. public he provided with accurate information about asbestos. This pamphlet marks the beginning of Permits; The New York City Council has adopted and the Mayor has signed Local Law 76 of 1985 to ensure that asbestos-related work is that educational process. performed in a safe manner by properly trained personnel. This program regulates demolition and renovation involving asbestos-containing material through the Department of Building’s permit process. Applicants for building permits involving alteration or demolition are required to do one of two things. They must either provide certification from an What Is Asbestos? asbestos investigator that the work will not constitute an “asbestos The name “asbestos" refers to a family of strong and flexible mineral project” or if asbestos is involved, an asbestos inspection report must be fibers that are relatively indestructible, heat resistant and chemically filed. This report, which must be completed before any stable. Over the past six decades these fibers have been used in over 3,000 demolition/alteration work begins, must describe the type and duration different products manufactured in the United States. Currently, about of activity, the amount of asbestos-containing material involved, the 800,000 tons of asbestos per year are processed as floor and ceiling tiles, planned disposal date, etc. brake linings, cement material, coatings for electrical wire and many other familiar products. More than half of all high-rise buildings built in Certification: This legislation also requires the certification of the United States prior to 1972, when the City banned the use of asbestos individuals performing asbestos-related work. As of December 2, 1986 in construction, contain some form of asbestos. In New York City alone anyone who does not hold a valid asbestos handling certificate cannot about 3.5 million tons of asbestos is contained in fireproofing, boiler legally work on any construction project involving asbestos, and such a rooms and other locations within city buildings.