Current Newsletter
August 2010
The New York City Chapter distributes its newsletter electronically. Contact Dan Orlowski to be added to our mailing list.
Past Newsletters
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 100 year anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. We were thrilled to have the event sell out and hope to see many of you again at our upcoming golf outing. Please visit our Photos page to see Fox News’ coverage of our event and interview with past president Peter Amato!
We are pleased to announce the following nominations for the 2011- 2012 Committee
President - Andrey Vishev
Director of Operations Site Safety LLC - Andrey Vishev is a Safety Professional with 20 years of construction experience in both private and public service. Mr. Vishev joined Site Safety LLC in 2009 and is currently responsible for managing the company's day-to-day operations and conducting quality-control. Prior to joining Site Safety, Mr. Vishev was Chief Inspector of the B.E.S.T. Squad of the Department of Buildings. He was appointed for this position in 2006 by Buildings Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster. In this position he was responsible for overseeing site-safety projects, demolition inspections and residential sweeps in all five boroughs. Mr. Vishev ia a Licensed/Certified NYC Site Safety Manager.
Mr. Vishev also worked as a project manager for Long & Delosa Construction Corp., where he supervised construction projects ranging from hospital emergency suites and medical centers to restaurants and multi-dwelling buildings. Finally, Mr. Vishev’s experience also includes pre-cast construction and HVAC technology.|
Mr. Vishev received his Civil Engineering degree from the Vitebsk’s Technological University in 1991 and his Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC Technology from Technical Career Institute in 1995. Additionally, he completed a course of advanced studies of Construction Technology at New York Institute of Design and Construction.
Andrey has been a member of the ASSE since April of 2008.
President Elect/V.P.– Shaun Carvalho
Shaun Carvalho is currently working for Shawmut Design and Construction and has been since 2003. For the past two years, Shaun has been working as the Area Safety Manager for Shawmut in the tri state area where he oversees the safety for all construction projects and internal operations. Shaun is an authorized OSHA Construction Outreach Trainer and American Red Cross authorized trainer for lay responders for First Aid, CPR and AED in the workplace. He holds a BS in Safety Studies from Keene State College and is an active member of Buildsafe Boston, the Construction Safety Roundtable of Eastern MA, and an active member of the New York City Chapter of ASSE.
Shaun has been a member of the ASSE since March 1, 2003, and last year held the positions of Government Affairs and Golf Committee chair. During this time in the New York City Chapter, he has attended Society meetings, executive board sessions, and networking events.
Leslie Radanovich - Secretary – Leslie is currently working for URS Corporation and has been since 2009. Leslie is an American Heart Association authorized trainer for lay responders for First Aid, CPR and AED.
She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Slippery Rock University and is currently working toward a professional certificate in Fashion Event Planning from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
She is involved with the planning and promotion of events for several non-profit organizations throughout the New York City area.
Leslie has been a member of ASSE since 2008. She currently works as an event coordinator for the New York City Chapter and holds the position of Region VIII Newsletter Editor.
Treasurer - Doug Pollock
Doug Pollock is currently working for F.J. SCIAME CONSTRUCTION and has been since 1981. He has held positions as a Laborer Foreman and Superintendent before going into the field of Safety and is now Sciame’s Corporate Safety Director. Mr. Pollock is a Licensed/Certified NYC Site Safety Manager and an Adjunct Professor at NYU where he teaches Construction Safety Management. He also sits on the Building Trades Employers Association Safety Steering Committee and the Back to Basic’s Safety Committee. Doug has been a member of the ASSE since November 1, 2008. He belongs to the Construction Specialty. He is currently the chapter Secretary.
100 WOMEN IN SAFETY
The New York City Chapter is pleased to announce that our past President Dina Vazquez has been honoreed as one of the top 100 Women in Safety. We would like to congratulate her on her hard work and dedication.
Cranes-Derricks Presentation
The following attachment (ppt) is from our October 21,2010 OSHA Presentation
Two New Construction Safety Standards Now Available
ANSI/ASSE A10.16-2009: Safety Requirements for Tunnels, Shafts and Caissons
- Approval Date: November 10, 2009
- Effective Date: February 10, 2010
When constructing tunnels, shafts and caissons, workers are often exposed to extreme conditions, such as reduced natural ventilation and light and the potential for fires, explosions, floods and earthquakes. Workers must also watch for moving loading or hauling equipment and flying debris. In addition, limited means of access and egress, risk of exposure to dangerous gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, and work conducted in confined spaces or near drilling and blasting sites, can pose serious hazards to workers.
Scope: This standard establishes safety requirements pertaining to the construction of tunnels, shafts and caissons. The requirements set forth in this standard cover environmental control; related facilities; fire prevention; hoisting; haulage; and electrical, drilling and blasting and compressed air work. This standard is not intended for application to mining or quarrying operations.
Purpose: The purpose of this standard is to establish reasonable and practical safety requirements and practices for the construction of tunnels, shafts and caissons.
Click here for more information.
ANSI/ASSE A10.47-2009: Work Zone Safety for Highway Construction
- Approval Date: November 24, 2009
- Effective Date: February 24, 2010
Heightened public awareness and compliance with the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), as well as with OSHA and state regulations, can help create safer highway work zones, but as employers nationwide prepare for the 2010 construction season, SH&E professionals want to know how they can also incorporate national voluntary consensus standards into work zone safety programs.
Scope: This standard covers workers engaged in construction, utility work, maintenance, or repair activities on any area of a highway.
Purpose: Establishes the minimum requirements for the construction and maintenance of public and private highways and roads to achieve the following
Objectives:
- Prevent worker injuries and illnesses resulting from working in work zones.
- Establish safe work practices in highway work zones.
- Prevent vehicular crashes in highway work zones.
Click here for more information.
Notice: OSHA Enforcement And Regulatory Changes Underway
OSHA intends to become more active in regulation promulgation and enforcement.Specifically, a pronouncement by President Obama’s new Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, encapsulates the new focus: “As I have said since my first day on the job, …the U.S. Department of Labor is back in the enforcement business,” Solis said. “There will be no excuses for negligence.... And so long as I am the Secretary of Labor, the Department will go after anyone who negligently puts workers at risk.”
To that end, the new administration has earmarked significant additional funds for the enforcement of current OSHA regulations, the implementation of new OSHA regulations, and the hiring of additional investigators to increase enforcement.In June 2009, a House panel approved a $13.2 billion fiscal year 2010 appropriations package to fund the Department of Labor (DOL), which would represent an increase of $846 million from FY 2009 spending levels.This budget includes funding for OSHA at $554.6 million, which is a $41.6 million increase over FY 2009, yet $9 million lower than the President's request.In light of the above, OSHA has a number of initiatives going forward, including, but not limited to:
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A special emphasis on oversight of construction projects funded by the recently enacted economic stimulus package, including safety issues involving fall protection, contractor liability and electrocution hazards.Stimulus-funded construction projects will be subject to random inspections, and OSHA inspectors would still have the authority to inspect construction sites if they observe any violations of OSHA rules.
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Regulation of new “green” technologies involving solar and wind power.
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A planned increase in the number of OSHA inspectors.Specifically, the fiscal year 2010 budget request was in part designed to fund the hiring of 130 new inspectors.OSHA intends to further supplement its inspectors with “partnerships with businesses and nongovernmental organizations.”
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Addressing ergonomics “in some way, shape, or form.”
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Reviewing OSHA’s penalty structure.Specifically, OSHA’s Acting Administrator, Jordan Barab, has remarked that “the average serious penalty is now below $1,000” and “that doesn’t provide much of a disincentive.”
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Increasing the speed of the standard-setting process, which has been described by Barab as “way too slow.”
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Significant revisions to the Voluntary Protection Program in light of a recent Government Accountability Office report that concluded that the agency failed to sufficiently oversee the program.
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Making unannounced inspections of up to 4,500 of the “most dangerous workplaces” in the country.The inspections will be conducted under OSHA’s 2009 site-specific targeting program, which includes sites that had injury and illness rates considerably higher than the national average.
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Continuing the enforcement of combustible dust standards.In June 2009, OSHA announced that it had issued a total of 667 citations against companies in several Southern states for alleged worker safety violations during inspections for unsafe hazardous dust conditions.The most frequently cited were for violations of housekeeping, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and electrical standards, and the general duty clause.OSHA intends to begin regulatory action on combustible dust, with an advance notice of proposed rulemaking scheduled to be issued by August 2009.
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Monitoring and supporting legislation in furtherance of OSHA’s goals.Specifically, the proposed “Protecting America’s Workers Act” (H.R. 2067) would give the agency the authority to press criminal charges against negligent employers.Further, the proposed “Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act” (H.R. 2381) would require OSHA to promulgate a standard mandating the use of mechanical lifts by health care workers when moving patients.This legislation would require health care facilities to develop safe patient handling and injury prevention plans, establish data systems to track injury trends, establish systems for reporting instances in which patient handling equipment is not used, train nurses on safe patient handling, allow nurses to refuse work, and require the Secretary of Labor to conduct audits.
Ultimately, as noted above, employers should be aware of, and expect, an increase in regulatory and enforcement action by OSHA.To that end, it is more important than ever to remain vigilant with respect to workplace safety issues.Establishing strict safety guidelines, increased training, the formation of safety committees and awards to safety-conscious employees are only a few ways employers can minimize workplace injuries, and hopefully avoid a knock on the door from OSHA.
Source: article by Richard Hackman
OSHA Launches National Emphasis Program on Recordkeeping
OSHA announced it is initiating a national emphasis program (NEP) on recordkeeping to assess the accuracy of injury and illness data recorded by employers.
The recordkeeping NEP involves inspecting occupational injury and illness records prepared by businesses and appropriately enforcing regulatory requirements when employers are found to be under-recording injuries and illnesses.
“Accurate and honest recordkeeping is vitally important to workers’ health and safety,” said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. “This information is not only used by OSHA to determine which workplaces to inspect, but it is an important tool employers and workers can use to identify health and safety problems in their workplaces.”
The inspections include a records review, employee interviews and a limited safety and health inspection of the workplace. The NEP will focus on selected industries with high injury and illness rates.
At the request of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the House Committee on Education and Labor, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a study on the accuracy of employer injury and illness records. This NEP will help OSHA work cooperatively with the GAO. It also complements the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) efforts to investigate factors accounting for differences between the number of workplace injuries and illnesses estimated by BLS and those estimated by other data sources.
See the attached document for more information.
ICR 56 Revisions Presentation Available for Download
"Anticipated ICR 56 Revisions Relating to Fire/Life Safety & Other Significant Issues" by Christopher Alonge, PE of the State of New York Department of Labor, as presented at the AIHA NY Conference on November 19, 2009.
- Anticipated ICR 56 Revisions Relating to Fire/Life Safety & Other Significant Issues Presentation (pdf)
Construction Safety Handouts from NYC Dept. of Buildings Available for Download
Tom Connors from the NYC Department of Buildings has provided handouts for your use:
- Site Safety Logistic Plan (pdf)
- Site Safety Facade Repair Plan (pdf)
- Revised B-Scan Enhancements (pdf)
Call Before You Dig!
Disrupting an underground utility line during construction can be inconvenient, expensive and even dangerous, but it is easy to avoid. Before starting an excavation or trench, putting in a drywell, installing an inground pool or even planting a tree, find out the location of underground utility lines and cables. Contact the New York City/Long Island One Call Center at 1-800-272-4480 for this information before you dig.
The requirement to "Call Before You Dig" can be found in New York State General Business Law article 36 and Public Service Law section 119B.
The Safety Professional's Handbook - Available Now!!
"We set out to ensure that this book was first a collection of tried-and-true information."
- Joel Haight, Editor
In a recent interview in Professional Safety Journal, Joel Haight explains the process of putting together this new multi-volume collection from ASSE.
With nearly 8 years in the making, this is ASSE's most expansive publishing endeavor. "It has a bit of the feel of an encyclopedia, but with more of a story -- and filled with applied and real examples of the points made," says Dr. Haight.
"There is an applied nature to the book that comes from the foundation of the science and engineering of safety," adds Dr. Haight. "Coupled with the insight and creativity of the authors, this has resulted in a book that will provide readers with the tools they need to learn the field and to continue its effective practice all the way to retirement."
- 1,000 ASSE members contributed
- 300 Authors, reviewers, editors and administrators collaborated
- 79 Chapters
- 12 Topic Areas
- 8 Years in the making
- 1 Book for every Safety Professional!
Visit the Safety Professionals Handbook mini-site for more details and to order.
In Case of Emergency - "ICE" System for Cell Phones
WHAT: In case of emergency "ICE" is a proactive effort designed to provide emergency personnel with next of kin contacts via a patients mobile/cellular phone situations.
WHY: Police, fire and other emergency personnel across the U.S. are using this free service - checking cellular phones if those injured are incapable of providing the necessary medical information.
HOW: Make sure your contact is easy to reach. If you add more than one "ICE" contract, than add a numeric order. Make sure "ICE" contacts have a phone list of family members, primary care physician and main work contact. Provide "ICE" contact with medical conditions, such as allergies, current medications, and previous medical procedures.
Follow these easy steps: In your cell phone address book, enter a new contact. Enter the letters "ICE", then type in your contact's name followed by their number.
- ICEjohndoe1 555-555-5555
- ICEmary2 555-555-5555
New York City Transit Safety Bulletins
CONTINUING TO WORK TO PREVENT WORKPLACE INJURIES AND ILLNESSES THROUGH EDUCATION, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS KICKS OFF ITS 9TH ANNUAL KIDS’ SAFETY-ON-THE-JOB POSTER CONTEST (9/17/10)
DES PLAINES, IL (September 17, 2010) – Today, 12 people a day die from on-the-job injuries in the U.S. The number should be zero according to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). The occupational safety, health and environmental professional members of the ASSE work day in and day out to prevent work injuries and illnesses for the more than 300 million people that go to work each day. The 9th annual ASSE kids’ ‘safety-on-the-job’ poster contest for kids aged 5-14 is one way ASSE and its members work to educate the public on how to be safe at work and why. The contest kicks off Sunday, September 19, and runs through Valentine’s Day, 2011, February 14.
The contest is open not only to ASSE members' children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, but also to children of ASSE member co-workers and schools sponsored by ASSE members. To enter, a child must be sponsored by an ASSE member. To find a local chapter go to www.asse.org. Top prizes, savings bonds, will be awarded to those in each of the five age groups that best illustrate being safe on the job.
In each age group there are first, second, third and fourth place winners. The first place winners will be featured on the annual North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week poster distributed to hundreds of thousands of businesses and people worldwide all aimed at raising awareness on how to be safe at work.
Not only do all poster contestants receive a prize, but they and their family along with all ASSE members, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) staff and Alliance partners, regulators and legislators, are invited to attend the annual NAOSH kick-off and poster contest awards events in Washington, D.C., on May 1-2, 2011. Those events will be held at the U.S. Capitol, the National Gallery of Art and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). NAOSH Week 2011 runs from May 1-7 and Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day is on May 4, 2011. The theme for NAOSH Week is ‘Celebrating a Century of Safety’. Please go to www.asse.org/naosh10 for highlights of last year’s events and winners and to www.asse.org/newsroom to the ‘9th annual poster contest link’ for a copy of the contest rules and entry form.
Last May, ASSE President Darryl C. Hill’s, Ph.D., CSP, company ABB, Inc., sponsored Iron Man and Spiderman at each of the NAOSH events where they discussed superhero workplace safety secrets.
ASSE members and chapters can sponsor schools, community organizations or children from their workplace in the contest, which is aimed at educating children on the importance of safety and health at work and better acquainting them with the job their parents, friends, relatives, etc. do as occupational safety, health and environmental practitioners.
Children in five age groups -- 1) ages 5-6; 2) ages 7-8; 3) ages 9-10; 4) ages 11-12; and 5) ages 13-14, are invited to create and submit posters no larger than 11 x 14 that best illustrate being safe at work. The first place winner in each age group receives a $1,000 savings bond, the second place winner receives a $500 savings bond and the third and fourth place winners receive a $200 savings bond.
The poster contest winners will be announced the first week of March. In addition to being featured on the NAOSH poster, the posters are displayed in Washington, D.C. during NAOSH Week at the DOL, the U.S. Capitol and at ASSE's annual Professional Development Conference and Exposition and 100th anniversary birthday party June 2011 in Chicago. Also, Lamar Advertising each year donates billboards featuring the local winning posters in their hometowns. This is not only for the winners, but the runners-up as well.
Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the largest and oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor and education. For more information check ASSE’s website at www.asse.org/naosh or contact ASSE customer service at customerservice@asse.org or 847-699-2929.