DEP advisory to residents regarding WTC dust, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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SEARCH & RESCUE PHASE SAFETY & HEALTH PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS

Work Zone Control

• Establish each rescue area (e.g.. Tower 1; Tower 2; Building 4; Building 7; etc.) as a separate “Work Zone” with a defined chain of command for each Zone.

• Establish positive controls for entry and exit points into each “Work Zone” (for personnel and equipment).

Y" Limit access to personnel assigned to that Zone and prohibit personnel (asfar asfeasible) from walking or standing near damaged buildings (falling glass/debris hazard).

'Z Color coding ofeach Work Zones

• Establish imiformed personnel to control access into each Work Zone.

• Establish “rest areas” adjacent to but not in the Work Zones.

Dust Control

• To protect against inhalation of dust, use proper respiratory protection.

• To minimize release of additional dust, minimize handling of debris (manually as well as with heavy equipment) to the extent practical.

• Equipment and Personnel (clothing) control.

Y' Personnel should not depart a Work Zone without being wiped-down with wet rag (control disposal of rags); soles of shoes need to be scraped or washed-off that are covered with dust or debris.

Y" ALL equipment tires and underbelly must be hosed-off before departing a Work Zone (prevents further spread of dust/debris beyond Zones) and all trucks leaving site with debris should be covered.

Personal Hygiene and Protection

• Promote the use of hardhats, eye protection, respiratory protection, foot protection, and protective clothing

• Discourage (as much as possible) eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing in Work Zones (refer back to dust control).

• To protect Health Care Providers from further exposure to hazards, remove debris from area and install barrier to prevent debris/dust from re-entering area (e.g., use canopies, tents, etc.).

• Report any injury to your supervisor and receive treatment at the nearest triage station.

Heavy Equipment Operations

• Allow only necessary equipment in a Work Zone, and stage all others outside (in “safe areas”).

• Assign spotters for equipment operation safety, and to control personnel in the area; use tag lines and other standard Heavy Equipment Operations (no persons under suspended loads).

• Create clear traffic lanes for Heavy Equipment moving in and out, especially those moving debris.

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