NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document I . szv
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EniUcoff Associates, luc.
Preliminary Report > H&S Evaiaailon
NYPD- Fresh OiLnodAU
Pages
3. We wore told by many that personnel working in the raking and sieving
operations were required to wear respirators for dust We could not determine
who made this directive, nor could we find a plan or report that detailed these
requirements. Regardless of who made the call or the rationale behind it, die
NYPD has accepted it and mandated for NYPD personnel that respirators and
personal protective equipment (PPB - disposable coveralls, gloves, hardhats) are
required for those jobs associated with raking, sorting and handling debris.
4. Rcspirarors arc being handed out by Federal OSHA personnel to whoever walks
in the tent and requests one. It appears that many different manufacture types arid
sizes of respirators arc available reflecting probable donations or supply
actualizes. The OSlfA persooncl provide basic instruction on how to assemble
and put-on (don) the respirator and instruct individuals on performing a positive
and negative fit check. They did however, give respirators to individuals who
were obviously unqualified to wear respirators and who would not pass even the
most rudimentary respirator fit check. Many of these individuals had fall or
partial beards that would make the respirator useless, for asbestos or respirable
dust. Upon further evaluation, it was determined that few individuals were fit-
tested, had been given adequate training, bad medical clearance to wear a
respirator, nor ni^ many of the basic good practice or requircmeius for using
respiratory proteclion.
5. Handwritten results from an EPA logbook taken on 22 and 23 September showed
LEL (lower explosive limit) readings in supply fonts ranging up to 14%. These
results were made available to the NYPD during the evaluation on 27 September.
This indicates that there may be a potential for the collection of landfill gas in
confined areas causing a potential for a flash fire if the concentration is sufficient
and there is a source of ignition.
6. Direct reading instrument results, taken by Emilcott on 27 September for vapors
and gases associated with the landfill did not show that diese gases were a health
exposure concern to the workers onsite at the time of our visit further qualitative
testing would substantiate this finding. There is no current qualitative sampling
being conducted by the EPA or PHS for vapors and gases associated with the
landfill.
7. The EPA has developed a Fresh Kill Landfill Site Safety Plan dated 20 Sept, 01
which covers ESF-101, EPA and USCG Personnel only. The EPA did tell
EmiJeon that they had a written air-sampling program that addresses our
questions on exposure assessment They did not have a copy of Ibis plan on site
and told us they would email it to us ASAP. We have not received thia plan to
dale. Neither of these plans cover NYPD personnel.
NYC-WTC_OO0150239
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