WTC emergency safety plan draft, Sept 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

World Trade Center Emergency Project Environmental, Safety, and Health Plan Draft - Revision A 30 September 2001

2.5 ASBESTOS Asbestos has been found in bulk and air samples taken within and outside of the rubble pile.

2.5.1 Within 25 Feet of the Rubble Pile:

Until a n assessment is made, contractors shall assume workers located within 25 feet of the rubble pile are exposed to asbestos in excess of the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter as an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) and Excursion Limit of 1 fiber per cc for 30 minute sample. As a minimum, the following shall be included in the contractor’s ES&H program:

• Designate area within 25 feet of rubble pile as a regulated area • Engineering and work practice controls designed to control asbestos exposure • Air monitoring • Respiratory protection (including written respiratory protection program) • Hygiene facilities and practices (including shower facilities, clean change rooms, etc.) • Training • Housekeeping • Medical surveillance

In the event a contractor makes a negative exposure assessment, the DDC safety office shall be notified within 24 hours of such a determination. After a negative exposure assessment has been made, whenever there is a change of equipment, process, control, personnel or a new task has been initiated that may result in an increased exposure to asbestos, the employer shall conduct additional monitoring to reevaluate asbestos exposure.

2.5.2 Greater than 25 Feet from the Rubble Pile:

A significant percentage of bulk dust samples taken from locations throughout the financial district have been found to be positive for asbestos. All settled dust located outside the 25 foot radius of the rubble pile shall be treated as asbestos containing until bulk sampling indicates dust being cleaned is not asbestos containing (> 1% asbestos). Clean up operations involving asbestos containing dust shall be considered Class IV asbestos work and shall be conducted by workers using proper protective equipment and work practices (i.e., wet methods, dry sweeping prohibition, use of hepa vacuums, etc.). Contractor employees destined for such asbestos clean up shall be trained in asbestos hazards and proper clean up procedures.

Contractors shall comply with OSH A asbestos standard 1926.1101.

2.5.3 Other Standing Structures Requiring Asbestos Removal

All standing structures requiring demolition shall be assessed for the presence of asbestos prior to demolition. All asbestos removal conducted in standing structures shall be done in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.1101.

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