U.S. D e p a r t m e n t Of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Washington, D.C. 20210 Reply to the attention of: April 8, 2011 Mr. Joel Shufro New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health 116 John Street, Suite 604 New York, NY 10038 Dear Mr. Shufro: This is in further response to your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for documents concerning Occupational Safety and Health Administration's role in post September 11, 2001, World Trade Center activities. We apologize for the delay in responding to your request. We will continue to process your request, and will be providing additional records to you. We are providing 104 pages of OSHA documents that mention post September 11, 2001, World Trade Center activities. Names of individuals have been deleted in part from three pages as required by Exemption 6 of the FOIA 5 U.S.C. ?552(b)6. We do not believe that there is any overriding public interest in the release of the withheld information to warrant disclosure. You have the right to appeal this partial denial decision with the Solicitor of Labor within 90 days from the date of this letter. The appeal must state, in writing, the grounds for appeal, including any supporting statements or arguments. To facilitate processing, you may wish to fax your appeal to: (202) 693-5538. The appeal should include a copy of your initial request and a copy of this letter. The appeal must be addressed to: Solicitor of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N2428, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. If mailed, both the envelope, and the letter of appeal itself should be clearly marked: "Freedom of Information Act Appeal." Your appeal may also be submitted by email to: foiaappeal@dol.gov. If we can be of further service, please call OSHA's FOIA Office at (202) 693-1999. Sincerely, / Earl W. Hicks Communications Services Division Chief OSHA Office of Communications Enclosures Miller, Amy - OSHA From: Sent: To: Subject: Hensley Sue Thursday, September 13, 2001 12:33 PM Grubbs Wendy; Law Steven; Henshaw John; Friedman Bonr FW: asbestos PR Microsoft Word 4 (27 KB) Sam Thernstrom just emailed this release and called to let me know Christie Todd is heading up to NYC today at 3:00 p.m. to talk to reporters about the EPA's data (since all monitoring reports have been so positive thus far). John Henshaw is going to join her on the train and will also be available for interviews. I'm waiting to get a release back from OSHA and ESA - I definitely think we need to send out something on our own since we didn't get much play in this release. Should have it in hand shortly. Original Message From: Samuel_A._Thernstrom@ceq.eop.gov [mailto:Samuel_A._Thernstrom@ceg.eop.gov] Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 12:13 PM To: Craig_Felner@who.eop.gov; kreisher.tina@epa.gov; Carlos_E._Bonilla@opd.eop.gov;' James_Connaughton@ceq.eop.gov; Elizabeth_A._Stolpe@ceq.eop.gov; Brian_R. _Besanceney@opd.eop.gov; Hensley-Sue@dol.gov Subject: asbestos PR for sign-off ASAP, thanks (See attached file: EPA WTC.doc) 1 EPA INITIATES EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVITIES, REASSURES PUBLIC ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS Bonnie Piper 202 564-7836 Chris Paulitz 202 564-9556 Bonnie Bellow (Regions 2) Pat Boyle: (Region 3) Sue Hensley, Dept. of Labor (OSHA) 202-693-6023 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman today announced that EPA is taking steps to ensure the safety of rescue workers and the public at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon disaster sites, and to protect the environment. EPA is working with state, federal, and local agencies to monitor and respond to potential environmental hazards and minimize any environmental effects of the disasters and their aftermath. At the request of the New York City Department of Health, EPA and the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have been on the scene at the World Trade Center monitoring exposure to potentially contaminated dust and debris. Monitoring and sampling conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday has been very reassuring about potential exposure of rescue crews and the public to environmental contaminants. EPA's primary concern is to ensure that rescue workers and the public are not exposed to elevated levels of asbestos, acidic gases, or other contaminants from the debris. Sampling of ambient air quality found either no asbestos or very low levels of asbestos. Sampling of bulk materials and dust found generally low levels of asbestos. The levels of lead, asbestos and volatile organic compounds in air samples taken on Tuesday in Brooklyn, downwind from the World Trade Center site, were not detectable or not of concern. Additional sampling of both ambient air quality and dust particles was conducted Wednesday night in lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, and results were uniformly acceptable. "EPA is greatly relieved to have learned that there appears to be no significant levels of asbestos dust in the air in New York City," said. Administrator Whitman. "We are working closely with rescue crews to ensure that all appropriate precautions are taken, just to be safe, but the information we have now is reassuring. We will continue to monitor closely." Public health concerns about asbestos contamination are primarily related to long-term exposure. Short-term, low-level exposure of the type that might have been produced by the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings is unlikely to cause significant health effects. EPA and OSHA will work closely with rescue and cleanup crews to minimize their potential exposure, but the'general public should be very reassured by initial sampling. EPA and OSHA will continue to monitor and sample for asbestos, and will work with the appropriate officials to ensure that rescue workers, cleanup crews and the general public are properly informed about appropriate steps that should be taken to ensure proper handling, transportation and disposal of potentially contaminated debris or materials. EPA is taking steps to ensure that response units implement appropriate engineering controls to minimize environmental hazards, such as water sprays and rinsing to prevent or minimize potential exposure and limit releases of potential contaminants beyond the debris site. EPA is also conducting downwind sampling for potential dioxin and asbestos releases from the W7orld Trade Center debris site. In addition, EPA has deployed federal On-Scene Coordinators to the Washington, D.C. Emergency Operations Center, Fort Meade, and FEMA's alternate Regional Operations Center in Pennsylvania, and has deployed an On-Scene Coordinator to the Virginia Emergency Operations Center. Under its response authority, EPA will use all available resources and staff experts to facilitate a safe emergency response and cleanup, including resources available from the National Response Team and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. EPA will work with other involved agencies as needed to: o o o o procure and distribute respiratory and eye protection equipment in cooperation with the Dept. of Health and Human Services; provide health and safety training upon request; design and implement a site monitoring plan; and provide technical assistance for site control and decontamination. New York Governor George E. Pataki has promised to provide emergency electric generators to New York City in efforts to restore lost power caused by Tuesday's tragedy, and EPA will work with State authorities to expedite any necessary permits for those generators. OSHA is also working with Consolidated Edison regarding safety standards for employees who are digging trenches because of leaking gas lines underground. OSHA has advised Con Edison to provide their employees with appropriate respirators so they can proceed with emergency work, shutting off gas leaks in the city. ### EPA WILL ALSO ATTACH A LIST OF THINGS THEY ARE DOING IN THE CITY TO THIS RELEASE - EQUIPMENT BEING PROVIDED, ETC. From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Zoldan Efraim Wednesday, September 19, 2001 6:03 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Clark Patricia K New York; Zoldan Efraim; Fairfax, Richard - OSHA FW: WTC Update 8 - 9/19/01 External Coordination - FEMA, OEM W e are continuing to make progress in getting plugged into appropriate meetings. We now have the ability to have email communication with our staff at the command post. We have been making contact with all appropriate agencies such as FEMA, NIOSH, EPA, City and State of New York etc., informing and reminding them that we are available with field ready resources to address any and all workplace safety and health issues. RA Patricia Clark made contact with the Acting RA for EPA Region 2 out of Edison, N.J.. Both pledged to continue complete cooperation concerning this operation with particular emphasis on data sharing. It should be noted that we were informed that EPA was granted an environmental mission contract from the City of New York which will include employee monitoring in the hot zone. We will continue to ensure coordination in this area. Several OSHA staff communicated to EPA staff that once the operation shifts to removal with private contractors in control, OSHA will have complete jurisdiction for worker safety issues. W e are in the process of making contact with both the City of New York operations and press office to acquire logistics for tomorrow's visit of U.S Senators. We will have a heavy OSHA presence at the site. Press and Public Relations: ^ fan 11(c) Investigator in Region 2 was interviewed by Government Executive Magazine (follow-up to previous interview done by Patricia Clark). The story is focusing on his personal heroics during the day of the event. Bill Wright established contacts with the following public affairs representatives, EPA, New York City, and NYC Department of Public Health. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: We are continuing our daily air monitoring in three areas, the financial district, the warm zone and the hot zone near ground zero. We are also conducting sampling within the perimeter of the debris pile. We will get results tomorrow. NIOSH and the City of New York conducted joint personal sampling in the hot zone yesterday. They got two sample results of 0,3 fibers/cc and 0 4 fibers/cc. (PCM). Today, 19 samples were taken. All samples results to date are within acceptable limits. We contacted EPA and are working to assist them in performing personal air monitoring at decon stations located at the site. W e continue to report all sample results to the New York City Health Department, New York State Health Department and OEM. Various data bases are being generated as a result of data reported from all sources. OSHA staff were present on today's National Response Team conference call. Personnel Resource Coordination: We will have full staffing for all functions on a 24 hour basis for the next four days and through the morning shift on Monday, 9/24/01. We expect to have personnel from around the country to assist in staffing operations next week. An operations summary will be provided to all regions today describing staffing needs and informing them of logistical information. Equipment Coordination: We are continuing to receive offers for respirators and other personal protective equipment. We are continuing to acquire l v 4-6 "Gator" vehicles to utilize for all of the various field operations. Phones and beepers will arrive tomorrow for all operational staff. Safety Team Monitors: We continued to conduct safety monitor visits. We continue to receive kudos from the DDC staff as well as contractors on site. Numerous interventions were conducted in the past two days with very positive results. The NYC Department of Design & Construction (DDC) is ready to sign, perhaps tomorrow, a contract with Bechtel to become the lead construction contractor for all Post Emergency construction activity. The contract will require 2 full time safety and health professionals to be located in each work zone on every tour/shift. We will continue to provide 2 construction specialists for each tour/shift in a compliance assistance role. Richard Mendelson (AD) and Bob Magee (FSO) toured the site with Bechtel staff including the adjoining structures. Respirator Fit Testing: Approximately 2,550 respirators are being issued each day for the four fit checking sites. As of tomorrow, NYC Department of Health will turn control of the fit checking/testing operation over to OSHA. NYC DOH will continue to provide the respirators, cartridges and space. OSHA, PESH, and PEOSH staff will conduct the fit checking which will soon be upgraded to fit testing utilizing porta counts. Status of Manhattan Area Office: Temporary space has been established adjacent to the regional office space at 201 Varick St. Computers are operational for all staff Critical Incident Stress Debriefing sessions were conducted for all Manhattan staff on Monday, 9/17/01. Approximately 50% of Manhattan staff were involved in today's operation. We are working on securing permanent space for a new Manhattan office. We are also working with OMDS to resolve NCR issues. 2 Miller, Amy -OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Zoldan Efraim Tuesday, September 18, 2001 6:53 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Kulick RobertOSHA; Fairfax, Richard - OSHA; Clark Patricia K New York; Zoldan Efraim WTC Update 7 - 9/1801 External Coordination - FEMA, OEM The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) command center has been moved to Pier 92. We have been assigned a desk location with a computer at the command center. We are staffing the command center on a 24 hour basis. Press and Public Relations: RA Patricia Clark gave an interview today with Matthew Weinstock of Government Executive Magazine. She essentially presented an overview of the operation and summarized OSHA's role. As a follow-up to Assistant Secretary John Henshaw's interview with Dave Brown of the Washington Post, Bill Wright provided him with sampling data results to date. OEM and New York City Department of Health requested that all agency press releases and/or sample result releases be shared with them. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: We are continuing our daily air monitoring in three areas, the financial district, the warm zone and the hot zone near ground zero. Today, 30 samples were taken. All samples results to date are within acceptable limits. It should be noted that Con Edison received a sample result of 0.232 fibers/cc (PCM) from a sample taken on 9/15 at Park Place and West Broadway. The sample was run for two hours. They have not done any follow-up sampling at this location. This sample result is inconsistent with both OSHA and EPA sample results, as well as other Con Ed samples. We will sample this area tomorrow. We are reporting all sample results to the New York City Health Department, New York State Health Department and OEM. Various data bases are being generated as a result of data reported from all sources. Personnel Resource Coordination: Approximately 25 - 30 OSHA staff members are required to conduct this operation on a daily basis. Coordinators have been assigned to each major task/assignment. Region 2 will be requesting assistance from other regions on tomorrow's RA conference call. Equipment Coordination; W e are continuing to receive offers for respirators and other personal protective equipment. We are trying to acquire 4-6 "Gator" vehicles to utilize for all of the various field operations. Safety Team Monitors: The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), asked for OSHA's assistance in conducting site safety monitoring visits. We are now providing two construction specialists per each 8 hour shift on a 24 hour basis, to conduct these safety monitoring tours. W e are serving as the experts concerning worker safety in construction at the site. Most of the DDC staff have HazMat backgrounds with little construction safety experience. When hazards are recognized we are informing the contractors and asking them to correct the hazards as quickly as possible. DDC staff are taking digital pictures and downloading to disc which will serve as feedback for contractors. We are conducting compliance assistance only and communicating that clearly to contractors. We are receiving kudos from the DDC staff as well as contractors on site. Numerous interventions were conducted in the past two days with very positive results. 1 Respirator Fit Testing OSHA and NY PESH staff continue to distribute thousands of respirators on a daily basis. Workers are fit checked and instructed how to wear and take care of the respirator. New York City Department of Health still has control of this function. Several problems with respirator supply and distribution have occurred. Contact was made with the DOH and we have agreed to assist in staffing fit check stations. The distribution centers are being established along with washing facilities. OSHA has facilitated the supplying of respirators from the State along with delivery to the sites. Miller, Amy-OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Friedman, Bonnie [Bonnie.Friedman@osha.gov] Monday, September 17, 2001 1:29 PM Henshaw, John Fleming, Susan, Lathram, Layne; Adams, Nancy; Layne, Raymond Subject: FW henshaw-tkpts.wpd John - here are the talking points I did on Tnurs. night while we were in NY. henshaw-tkpts.wpd 3/17/2005 Talking Points for John Henshaw New York City Rescue Operations On behalf of the Administration and the Department of Labor, we all give heartfelt thanks to Governor Pataki, Mayor Gulliani, the scores of public servants, and private citizens who have aided in the Herculean rescue operation underway in this city. As we try to recover from the initial shock wave that gripped our nation, and New York and Washington in particular, our hearts break for the untold number of victims and their families. At the same time we have concern for the workers - those engaged in the painful rescue operation and those getting ready to go back to their jobs. That is why is OSHA is here. We are coordinating with others, EPA in particular, to help make sure their workplaces are safe. Secretary of Labor EJaine Chao asked me to come to New York - to join our staff already on the ground - to show our support and to make it clear that the Department of Labor and OSHA care about the well being of those who trying to restore this city to normal and those who want to resume the nation's business. One of the important things we are doing here is testing for asbestos and any other hazardous substances that might be harmful. So far, indications are good that harmful levels do not exist. But we want to make certain. We also want to be sure that workers here are protecting themselves - wearing respirators, eye goggles if needed, and any other protective equipment that be a warranted. OSHA is providing technical assistance and advice to other federal agencies - including the FBI and ATF - and to private employers such as Con Edison regarding protection of their workers. And we are providing similar advice and assistance to rescue operations at the Pentagon where there are concerns about asbestos exposure and structural stability. As President Bush said earlier this week, our way of life, our very freedom, came under attack this week. In the midst of this tragedy, we are resolved to do the work that is needed to serve our country and protect our fellow citizens. That is why we are here. ### Friedman, Bonnie [Bonnie.Friedman@osha.gov] Monday, September 17, 2001 2:36 PM Henshaw, John; Layne, Raymond; Clark, Patricia-K. (New York); Gillen, Gil, Zoldan, Efraim; Lathram, Layne; Wright, William, Meilinger, Francis; Belsky, Albert; Hensley, Sue; Fultz, Chester NY-Sept. 17. wpd are general, updated talking points on the status of OSHA operations in be used as a guide only, not as a handout of any type. 1 Updated Talking Points September 17,2001 OSHA, together with other federal agencies including EPA and FEMA, is continuing to work with the City of New York on rescue operations. We are doing everything we can to assist, trying to help get the city back to normal business, as much as possible. Monitoring in and around the financial district of New York continues show there are no concerns with respect to asbestos in the air. We found some asbestos in debris outside of buildings. So long as the asbestos is not disturbed, it does not pose a serious problem. Monitoring will continue to assure safety. EPA deployed vacuum trucks throughout the city over the weekend to remove as much debris as possible. The City of New York power washed buildings and streets to further remove remaining debris. OSHA is working with employees directly involved in the rescue operations, providing advice and information about personal protective equipment and other concerns. As part of its outreach effort, OSHA is handing out thousands of respirators directly to workers at the "pile." OSHA is working with the private sector, helping to coordinate much-need equipment and supplies, including some generous donations from various businesses. And OSHA has made arrangements with two professional associations to provide voluntary assistance to employers who have concerns about working conditions in their buildings related to recovery. To get assistance, employers may call the AIHA at 703849-8888 or the ASSE at 847-699-2929. In the Washington area, OSHA is also on-site at the Pentagon offering advice and assistance in the rescue operation, monitoring for asbestos and providing as much help as possible. OSHA also is providing technical assistance and advice to other agencies, including the FBI and ATF, involved in rescue operations. Miller, Amy-OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Gillen Gil Saturday, September 15, 2001 8:01 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis); Fairfax, Richard - OSHA; Findlay Cameron Efraim Zoldan; Patricia Clark WTC Update 6-9/15/01 Hope this makes sense-we're all a little punchy! Eighteen compliance officers went to Lower Manhattan today. Several approaches were use to give support to the work at the crash site. o The majority of OSHA personnel went to the main command center to assist NY State Public Employee Safety and Health [PESH] getting workers into respirators. The use of the respirator, how to detect if new cartridges are needed, and instructions on how to change them was given. Other PPE was distributed as well:goggles, gloves, hard hats. The PPE was provided by the City of New York. A meeting was held with the City representative, PESH, City Dept. of Health, and NY State Consultation to determine future PPE needs. Respirator cartridge types, work gloves for debris, latex, and vinyl for bioodborne exposures, safety vests, hearing protection will be ordered. Sampling consisted of 23 personnal, 5 bulk. Area samples were taken just outside what is considered the "hot zone". Monitoring continued on the streets of the Financial District. The State Department of Environmental Conservation [DEC]Police unit has taken over as the site Environmental, Safety and Health coordinator. They have contracted Bechtel to assist them. The City Department of Design and Construction is coordinating Safety and Health for the contractors. Contact was made with these groups and we have been invited to participate in their meeting tomorrow morning at 9. We have committed to providing construction safety specialists to act as safety monitors team members. It was repeatedly made clear we are there to act in a technical support role. An accident prevention plan by DEC was reviewed by 1 safety supervisor and 2 Area Directors, Phil Peist and Rich Mendelson. Comments will be share at the meeting tomorrow. Teams went out on West Street to distribute PPE on the approach to the hot zone. o o o << o l Miller, Amy-OSHA^ From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Layne Raymond (Davis) Wednesday, September 12, 2001 12:06 PM Findlay Cameron Henshaw John; Spear, Chris - ASP; Iverson, Kristine FW: Region 2 - Update on WTC As requested during Fishbowl this morning, here's the latest New York update on the WTC. Davis Original Message From: Zoldan Efraim Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 11:49 AM To: Layne Raymond (Davis) Cc: Clark Patricia K New York Subject: Region 2 - Update on WTC Our first priority was the safety of our staff in the manhattan area office. When the plane hit the first tower the fire alarms went off in 6 World Trade, the building which housed the Manhattan Area Office. The office personnel left according to their evacuation plan. They have one employee in a wheel chair and he was evacuated without incident. They were outside the building when the second plane hit. The police moved everyone North and the Area Office staff was not able to stay together. The Regional Office called those that had cell phones and instructed them to go to the regional office, about a twenty minute walk north of the World Trade Center. The majority of the staff reached the Regional Office where they immediately contacted their homes and loved ones. The Area Director gave the staff money so that they could arrange transportation home as they had evacuated without personnal possessions. We were able to confirm this morning that everyone got to their homes and were safe. The regional office was evacuated at about 10 am. The staff went to a nearby park and were dismissed from there after the bridges and tunnels around Manhattan were opened. The Regional Office Staff were able to reach their homes and are safe. Per the Mayor of New York City, everything in Manhattan, south of 14th Street, is closed. This includes both the Regional and Area Office. As the Regional office is closed, I am in the Hasbrouck Heights Area Office and can be reached at (201) 288-1700. The bridges and Tunnels to New York from New Jersey are closed. We believe that the Manhattan Area Office no longer exists. It was located at 6 World Trade Center which is a 10 story building between Tower 1 and 7 World Trade which have both been confirmed as collapsed. The area office was on the 8th floor and the building has been either crushed by debris or has burned. No one is able to get close enough to see. All of the government cars have been destroyed except for 1 which was with a compliance officer in Brooklyn. I have been in contact with Consolidated Edison last night at midnight. There are reports of leaking gas lines underground. They will have to dig trenches 6 inches into the ground. There may be debris containing asbestos around the area. They are concerned that the asbestos construction standard requires 8 hours of training and they do not have the time to complete that training. I agreed that as long as they inform their employees that the debris may contain asbestos and they provide appropriate respirators that they can proceed with shutting off the gas leaks. The entire city is still in an emergency mode and until the gas leaks are shut off we have agreed to allow them to continue without the asbestos training. l Mmerg^^Ajrn^^OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: _ __ Mma^wmgMBaaaBa-- _,_ , _ , . Layne Raymond (Davis) Wednesday, September 12, 2001 3:18 PM Findlay Cameron Spear, Chris - ASP; Iverson, Kristine; Henshaw John; Law, Steven; Pizzella, Patrick FW: Region 2 - 9/12 PM Update on WTC Original Message From: Zoidan Efraim Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 2:55 PM To: Layne Raymond (Davis) Cc: Clark Patricia K New York; Gillen Gil; Mendelson Richard-OSHA; Zoldan Efraim; Friedman Bonnie-OSHA Subject: Region 2 - 9/12 PM Update on WTC Contact was made with the ATF. They were located at the WTC and are currently regrouping to a location in Queens. They have indicated their willingness to work with us as we did in 1993. Telephone contact was made with Tom Fusco, the FBI's regional director, they are still trying to fully mobilize their operation. It is estimated that recovery may take 2-3 weeks. Assistance was offered to the FBI in the following areas: Fit testing of investigating personnel. They have one PortaCount which is used by their HazMat team. We offered to bring several portacounts with our Industrial Hygienist to speed up testing of their personnel. Training for investigating personnel. We are talking about multiple short sessions to orient the arriving agents & investigators. Just the bare essentials to keep them safe: respirators & PPE, site safety (collapse, heavy machinery, fall protection) Other support and guidance throughout the operation. We expect to have face to face meeting this afternoon or evening. We were contacted by PESH, they offered to assist in any way possible. As of right now the regional office is still closed and operation continues from the Hasbrouck Heights office (201) 2881700 l Miller, Amy-OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Layne Raymond (Davis) Thursday, September 13, 2001 1:04 PM Findlay Cameron Spear, Chris - ASP; Pizzella, Patrick; Iverson, Kristine; Henshaw John; Law, Steven FW: Region 2 - Update 3 - WTC FYI --Original Message From: Zoldan Efraim Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 12:08 PM To: Layne Raymond (Davis) Cc: Clark Patricia K New York; Zoldan Efraim; Friedman Bonnie-OSHA; Gillen Gil; Mendelson Richard-OSHA Subject: Region 2 - Update 3 - WTC The Manhattan Office Area Director has been in contact with the safety and health section of the New York Office of the FBI to offer assistance. They expect hundreds of agents to arrive shortly in New York. They have to be fit tested and trained on hazards to expect and how to protect themselves. We are gearing up to assist them. There was extensive communication with the EPA (Region 2 and National Office), New York City DEC, State DEC and DOH concerning air quality. We have received early copies of the preliminary asbestos sampling results, both bulk and air samples. According to their limited results, there are small amounts of asbestos in the debris, but not the air. It must be noted that this is a small sample and sampling continues. A conference call was held this morning with EPA, Regional and National, as well as representatives from the White House. Their overall concern was the quality of the ambient air and the reaction of the general population. They were concerned about the public understanding of the sample results that are forthcoming and our ability to reassure them with respect to air quality. The secondary purpose of the call was to discuss the financial market and how we can work toward allowing them into their buildings. We are working closely with local EPA to conduct sampling. Thursday 9/13, Regional and Area Office personnel will be working with the EPA to sample in financial buildings and the immediate surrounding areas. Sampling for asbestos and silica will take place. l Miller, Amy -OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Layne Raymond (Davis) Thursday, September 13, 2001 4:52 PM Findlay Cameron Spear, Chris - ASP; Pizzella, Patrick; Iverson, Kristine; Henshaw John; Law, Steven FW: Region 2 - Update 4 - WTC The latest Original Message From: Zoldan Efraim Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 4:47 PM To: Layne Raymond (Davis) Cc: Clark Patricia K New York; Zoldan Efraim; Gillen Gil; Mendelson Richard-OSHA; Friedman Bonnie-OSHA Subject: FW: Region 2 - Update 4 - WTC The sampling teams have returned with a preliminary report. In cooperation with the EPA, five buildings in the financial district were sampled. OSHA took a total of 21 samples, 14 air and 7 bulks. W e hope to have the samples analyzed tonight. Visual inspection of the inside of the building reveals clean work surfaces with no discemable dust. The ventilation units were turned off. The teams observed the streets being soaked with water and street cleaners sweeping up the residue. The buildings are operating under emergency lighting. John Henshaw is traveling tonight to New York City in order to assist the local efforts. He will be briefed by myself, Gil Gillen and the Manhattan Area Director, Richard Mendelson. Mr. Henshaw is arriving with Bonnie Friedman. l Miller, Amy - OSHA I -- I -- II' 'oo o*o I I ntfll -- I I IIIIIIIWII1I I From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Layne Raymond (Davis) Friday, September 14, 2001 2:07 PM Findlay Cameron Spear, Chris - ASP; Pizzella, Patrick; Iverson, Kristine; Henshaw John; Law, Steven FW: Region 2 - Update 5 - WTC Update Original Message From: Zoldan Efraim Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 1:33 PM To: Layne Raymond (Davis) Cc: Clark Patricia K New York; Zoldan Efraim; Mendelson Richard-OSHA; Gillen Gii; Friedman Bonnie-OSHA Subject: Region 2 - Update 5 - WTC Asst. Secretary, John Henshaw and Bonnie Friedman of the Public Affairs office arrived in NYC yesterday evening They met with the OSHA folks and were briefed on the day's events which included OSHA and EPA taking bulk and airborne samples in the peripheral area of the financial district. The samples were analyzed through a local laboratory provided to us by EPA. The results for asbestos were received later in the evening and indicate that the levels are within our standards which was seen as positive. As a result of heavy rains last night and continuous rain today, it is expected that the levels of the samples taken today would be even lower. Mr Henshaw along with the OSHA staff toured the areas around the WTC. The devastation is beyond description (a war zone at best). We observed the various governmental agencies and volunteers in their rescue efforts It was determined that there is definitely a need for OSHA's presence to support the safety and health of the rescuers. We have also been to the command center where we met various officials from OEM (The Mayor's office of Emergency Management) on down. We explained our role in the rescue efforts and plan to meet with higher officials later today. This morning we briefed approximately 20 OSHA personnel and dispatched them to the rescue site. They are not acting in an enforcement capacity. The intent is to show OSHA's presence and commitment to safety and health Additionally, they will intervene with all those that are not properly protected and/or are committing an unsafe act. They will try to persuade them to work in a safe manner and teach them how to properly wear respirators, ppe, etc. l Miller, Amy-OSHA i i iiiWi'Hi - YiT7H^-"Th7"' l ^itTTTr''^iir-^ j -""f r7l^ol^lo^ol^^H^^llVo^T^TT^l^^of^Tl^l^^ oo'o H ^ s a -- t a a M From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Gillen Gil Sunday, September 16, 2001 7:08 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis); Fairfax, Richard - OSHA; Findlay Cameron Efraim Zoldan; Patricia Clark WTC Update 7-9/16/01 L'pdate-9/16/01 The ESF 10 Section [Hazardous Materials] for FEMA contacted OSHA early this morning, September 16lh to request that technical assistance be provided for a "Statement of Work". This proposed a funding increase of seventy-five million dollars to develop and implement an extensive decontamination plan for the workers. The plan would provide decontamination on a twenty-four hour basis for a sixty-day period. Hot zone and warm zone decontamination was addressed. Cleaning of reusable personal protective equipment [PPE] and equipment as well as re-supplying of disposable equipment was included. The Statement has been submitted to the FEMA management. Sixteen OSHA employees were deployed in Lower Manhattan to perform sampling, outreach, and assist other agencies in respirator fit testing and distribution of PPE, Samples, both air and bulk, were taken in the established grids of the Financial District and the warm zone. Meetings were held with representatives of the Mayor's Office to arrange for the storage of respirators that have been offered to OSHA. They should have an answer for us tomorrow. An additional fit test area has been arranged on the east side of the hot zone, as that was an underserved area. Workers assigned there were not passing the command center fitting area. We also met with the agencies interested in site safety and health to discuss the plan developed for the State Department of Environmental Conservation by Bechtel. It's a very general plan, eight pages in length, addressing most areas of concern. All agreed it was a fine beginning. An organizational plan was begun to streamline the work at the World Trade Center site. As the rescue phase ends, more varied work will begin and site health and safety will be better emphasized. The sampling of the Financial District and Warm Zone will continue. Perimeter sampling will be expanded. Cleaning of nearby streets has increased; it would be useful to determine the levels since workers are staging and resting in this area. l Miller, Amy - OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Clark Patricia K New York Tuesday, September 18, 2001 7:21 AM HenshawJohn Layne Raymond (Davis), Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Lathram Layne-OSHA RE: Professional Contacts Bonnie's rep is arriving this morning. We'll have him get to work on this. Also, cur External Contact Coordinator (Tarrytown AD Phil Peist) is also beginning his work today. We'll brief him as well. Original Message From: Henshaw John Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 11:35 PM To: Clark Patricia K New York; Gillen Gil Cc: Lathram Layne-OSHA; Friedman Bonnie-OSHA; Layne Raymond (Davis) Subject: FW: Professional Contacts Pat, Gil We need we get the message out. The city, FEMA and EPA should be distributing this message. John From: Friedman, Bonnie rSMTP:Bonnie.Friedman(5>,osha.gov1 Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 2:50 PM To: Henshaw, John Cc: Adams, Nancy; Lathram, Layne; Fleming, Susan; Wright, William Subject: Professional Contacts As businesses reopen in New York City, there may be concerns about workplace safety and health. Employers and employees are encouraged to contact city, state and federal agencies if they have questions. Two professional organizations are also offering voluntary assistance related to the disaster. For more information call: American Industrial Hygiene Assocation: 703-849-8888 American Society of Safety Engineers: 847-699-2929 l From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Zoldan Efraim Tuesday, September 18, 2001 6:53 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Kulick RobertOSHA; Fairfax, Richard - OSHA; Clark Patricia K New York; Zoldan Efraim WTC Update 7 - 9/1801 External Coordination - FEMA, OEM The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) command center has been moved to Pier 92. We have been assigned a desk location with a computer at the command center. We are staffing the command center on a 24 hour basis. Press and Public Relations: RA Patricia Clark gave an interview today with Matthew Weinstock of Government Executive Magazine. She essentially presented an overview of the operation and summarized OSHA's role. As a follow-up to Assistant Secretary John Henshaw's interview with Dave Brown of the Washington Post, Bill Wright provided him with sampling data results to date. OEM and New York City Department of Health requested that all agency press releases and/or sample result releases be shared with them. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: We are continuing our daily air monitoring in three areas, the financial district, the warm zone and the hot zone near ground zero. Today, 30 samples were taken. All samples results to date are within acceptable limits. It should be noted that Con Edison received a sample result of 0.232 fibers/cc (PCM) from a sample taken on 9/15 at Park Place and West Broadway. The sample was run for two hours. They have not done any follow-up sampling at this location. This sample result is inconsistent with both OSHA and EPA sample results, as well as other Con Ed samples. We will sample this area tomorrow. We are reporting all sample results to the New York City Health Department, New York State Health Department and OEM. Various data bases are being generated as a result of data reported from all sources. Personnel Resource Coordination: Approximately 25 - 30 OSHA staff members are required to conduct this operation on a daily basis. Coordinators have been assigned to each major task/assignment. Region 2 will be requesting assistance from other regions on tomorrow's RA conference call. Equipment Coordination: We are continuing to receive offers for respirators and other personal protective equipment. We are trying to acquire 4-6 "Gator" vehicles to utilize for all of the various field operations. Safety Team Monitors: The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), asked for OSHA's assistance in conducting site safety monitoring visits. We are now providing two construction specialists per each 8 hour shift on a 24 hour basis, to conduct these safety monitoring tours. We are serving as the experts concerning worker safety in construction at the site. Most of the DDC staff have HazMat backgrounds with little construction safety experience. When hazards are recognized we are informing the contractors and asking them to correct the hazards as quickly as possible. DDC staff are taking digital pictures and downloading to disc which will serve as feedback for contractors. We are conducting compliance assistance only and communicating that clearly to contractors. We are receiving kudos from the DDC staff as well as contractors on site. Numerous interventions were conducted in the past two days with very positive results. l Respirator Fit Testing: OSHA and NY PESH staff continue to distribute thousands of respirators on a daily basis. Workers are fit checked and instructed how to wear and take care of the respirator. New York City Department of Health still has control of this function. Several problems with respirator supply and distribution have occurred. Contact was made with the DOH and we have agreed to assist in staffing fit check stations. The distribution centers are being established along with washing facilities. OSHA has facilitated the supplying of respirators from the State along with delivery to the sites. Miller, Amy - OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Clark Patricia K New York Thursday, September 20, 2001 8:33 AM HenshawJohn Layne Raymond (Davis); Zoldan Efraim; Gillen Gil RE: NY and Respirators We're working on a complete response to this. In the mean time here is some info you can use to stem the time of comments From my on personal observation from last night's visit, we are distributing a large number of respirators to those working on the rubble pile Unfortunately, as you mentioned, many of the resuce workers are not concerned with their own safety at this time We have had some success with the contractor ees (our safety monitors saw ironworkers who were doing cutting wearing respirators last night - this is a major improvement). On the other hand, a Fire Dept Battalion Chief told one of our people who was attempting to set up a mobile respirator distribution point at the rubble pile, " The Fire Department takes care of it's own, we don't need any help from civilians." As of this morning, we have been put in charge of the distribution of repiratory protection (last night the military was removing all others, centralizing the distribution point & arranging with us for supply from warehouses controlled by them). We are staffing this point with OSHA, PESH (State of NY), PEOSH (State of NJ), & NYS & NJS Consultation around the clock As the area is further "locked down" additional points may be established (at control entry points along with decon & food distribution) We are also attempting to set up a "mobile" distribution point at the rubble pile as close to where the workers (hoping that if we are right there more may be willing to take them) using "gators". I spoke with the EPA acting RA yesterday afternoon. We both pledged to continue working together We have shared all our data with EPA (both at the Command Center & with the RAs press rep). They have provided "limited" info on their results I will pursue getting all their info this am. Bill Wright has also established contact with the EPA press rep. Our rep at the Command Center is situated adjacent to EPA & is working closely with their reps stationed there. As result of my conversation with the RA, staff have been in contact. EPA has asked us to do sampling on the people staffing "decon" stations which are in the process of being established. We have agreed & are setting this up today. We are also beginning personal air monitoring of workers on the rubble pile today. We are using contacts with the trades (specifically the Ironworkers & the Operating Engineers) to facilitate this. We will also be sampling the Police, the Military (& any Fire Dept staff who are willing) who are working in the rubble area. We will continue to sample the other areas (Financial, Warm, & Hot Zone approaches) with our people & the Hot Zone with our safety monitors. Hope this helps until we can provide more details per your request. --Original Message From: Henshaw John Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 1:11 AM To: Layne, Raymond; 'Fairfax, Richard1; Clark Patricia K New York Cc: Gillen, Gil; Adams Nancy; Mendelson Richard-OSHA Subject: RE: NY and Respirators I agree (for this situation). A win-win for all. We need to remember to thank MSA. I have tried to thank them in the press interviews. Tomorrow there will be an interview on NPR "Marketplace". Davis / Pat I received a call from the White House tonight and they are concerned about congressional inquiries about our work and the degree of cooperation we have with EPA. Apparently several Senators visited the site yesterday and they made some comments about the fact many rescue workers were not wearing respirators and other safety equipment. Sam did not know all the details but just alerted us that we will be getting congressional questions that we need to get prepared for. Couid you develop or execute the following : Assure that EPA has all our data gathered thus far and that we have (at least tried to get) EPA's data. EPA is the principle fed agency in charge so they should be the central repository of all data. WE need to have what they have so we can make sure we both (EPA and OSHA) have the same data and are sending the same message. We need to show that we are working closely with EPA. 2. EPA needs to know what sampling we are planning to do and it needs to link up with what EPA is doing. Again showing we are working in lock-step with EPA. 3. We need to have a good gird or map of what we and EPA have done and plan to do in respect to sampling. We should have ready the number of resources we (and EPA if possible) have deployed (devoted 1 1. to sampling) since the beginning, to address the air contamination issue. Maybe a good grid map showing where samplers were taken, numbers of samples taken, levels found, areas deemed safe, etc. 4 We need to have ready the total number of OSHA folks (and volunteers - e.g. MSA, ) PESH, DOH, etc. that are involved in the respiratory protection / safety assurance process. We need to show that we have a lot of people on the ground trying to get ground zero workers wearing the proper protection and describe the process we are undertaking to accomplish the task. This will be helpful to demonstrate (sell) the fact that we are- helping to coordinate the effort with all groups and volunteers, using our best people to persuade, train and educate rescue workers, and passing out equipment on site to assure people are protected. Then we can make the argument that we are doing the very best that can be done. The Senators must realize that these people are still in the rescue mode and when it comes to finding and rescuing their fallen compatriots, they see their own safety as a secondary priority - and I can't blame them. 5. To the extent we have the details, we need to describe the process that will be in place to assure proper protection and procedures are followed after the search and rescue is over. Once we are in this phase compliance is easier to assure - like that going on Staten Island. 6. Any other items, data, or explanations that could be useful to show we are on top of the issues and are doing our very best under these difficult conditions. I would like to have this information at hand before any inquiries come in to nip any criticism in the bud before it goes any further. As you know full well, they have a history of taking pot shots at us and if we can respond quickly in a . positive, strong, well thought out way we may take some wind out of there sails. We have a better offence if we are ready for an immediate response. I plan to make a few calls to EPA tomorrow. John From: Fairfax, Richard [SMTP:Richard.Fairfax@osha.gov] Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 5:42 PM To: Henshaw, John; Layne, Raymond Cc: Gillen, Gil Subject: NY and Respirators Just got a call from Gil Gillen, apparently MSA has 30,000 cartridges that they are willing to make available (free of course). Their problem is that they are not NIOSH Certified but are European certified. Gil has spoken to NIOSH (Rich Metzler- head of the NIOSH Resp. Branch) and he is willing to check them out and see if they would meet NIOSH certification. Before he does all this he wanted the say so from OSHA that if he says they are OK based upon his tests that OSHA would accept them. Seemed like a win-win, so I have advised him that if they check the respirators out and are satisfied that they would meet NIOSH certification that OSHA would accept them (for this situation.). rf Miller, Amy - OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: _____ -- . ., _ _ _ Zoldan Efraim Thursday, September 20, 2001 6:11 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Clark Patricia K New York; Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Kulick Robert-OSHA FW: WTC Update 9 - 9/20/01 External Coordination - FEMA, OEM RA Patricia Clark made contact with NIOSH staff composed of IHs and oc/doc's. It was agreed that we would continue to share data and coordinate personal monitoring particularly in the hot zone. RA Clark also met with the Deputy Commissioner for the NY City Dept of Design and Construction. He thanked OSHA for our support and was very pleased with the work we are doing with them in conducting the safety monitoring tours. He also expressed that he was anxious for the contract phase to begin. OSHA staff at the command center have gotten requests from various police organizations for copies of OSHA's 1926 Construction Standards. A supply will be delivered to the command center tomorrow morning. Press and Public Relations: Public Affairs rep onsite will be forwarding to the National Office via email, approximately 50 digital photos of the debris pile and surrounding area. Photos will also depict OSHA staff at work. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: We are continuing our daily air monitoring in three areas, the financial district, the warm zone and the hot zone near ground zero. Today we started to sample personnel working in the debris pile. Today, 10 personal, 8 area and 3 bulk samples were taken. All samples results to date are within acceptable limits. Results from the financial district continue to be low. We shared our sampling data and plan with EPA. EPA also provided us with their sampling plan and their sampling grid map. We also assisted EPA in developing decon washing stations which will be active shortly. A sampling grid map was developed this morning and shared with EPA, the New York City Health Department(OEM), FBI, NYC Mayor's office, NYS DEC, State Police of NY and NJ and NYC Fire Department. The map was very well received by all and something the agencies were looking for. We are in the process of comparing our map with EPA's to continue coordination. We continue to report all sample results to the New York City Health Department, New York State Health Department and OEM. Various data bases are being generated as a result of data reported from all sources. OSHA staff were present on today's National Response Team conference calls and attended the daily 2:00pm air sampling meeting. The heavy rain today reduced visible dust and smoke levels. The Wall Street are was visited. The area is exceptionally clean Security personnel were questioned. They report no problems and were concerned about last week's levels. We explained the safe levels we found. They seemed reassured. We received our first FOIA request for our sampling data today. Personnel Resource Coordination: We will have full staffing for all functions on a 24 hour basis for the next four days and through the morning shift on Monday, 9/24/01. Both Region 1 and 3 have provided names of CSHO's who are available to provide assistance effective Monday, 9/24/01. Equipment Coordination: l We are leasing 3 gator vehicles which were delivered today and are onsite. They are extremely helpful in carrying out our field functions We also acquired 6 walkie talkies from OEM Safety Team Monitors: We continued to conduct safety monitor visits. We are in the process of developing an intervention data base which will be shared with Bechtel and the contractors working onsite. Some contusions, strains and minor fractures have been reported No major/compound fractures have been reported to date. Respirator Fit Testing: As of today OSHA is coordinating the fit checking/testing function along with the OSHA family of NY PESH and NJ PEOSH Additionally, we are in the process of staffing two new stations located in Staten Island and Queens. We are considering a mobile station utilizing a large gator. Status of Manhattan Area Office: GSA visited 201 Varick St. today and committed to providing permanent space for the Manhattan Area Office at 201 Varick St OMDS committed to delivering a new NCR system in seven days. We are continuing to work with them to retrieve inspection data from the host via a reverse download. 2 The Honorable Michael Bloomberg Mayor City of New York City Hall New York, NY 10007 Dear Mayor Bloomberg: It was the privilege of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to remain an around-the-clock presence at the World Trade Center site, working with others to ensure the safety and health of the workers there. Through the combined efforts of your offices, other agencies of government, employers and employees, not a single life was lost in the recovery operation and injury rates were well below the national average. That is an accomplishment of which we can all be proud. It is also a privilege of public leadership that we are offered the opportunity to applaud and thank individuals and agencies that have contributed greatly to a successful undertaking. It is, therefore, my honor to echo the sentiments of my New York OSHA staff in congratulating the men and women of the multiple New York City agencies working at World Trade Center site. These agencies include the Department of Design and Construction, Office of Emergency Management, New York City Department of Health, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Fire Department of New York, New York Police Department, Department of Sanitation of New York, and Department of Citywide Administrative Services. The extraordinary cooperation, professionalism and dedication of the people in these agencies are commendable and impressive. It is my hope that our outstanding record at the World Trade Center site is one that we will look back on with bittersweet pride. As we move forward to new challenges, we share the knowledge that we did everything possible to protect the workers there and that our efforts were successful. Sincerely, Iohn L. Henshaw Mr. Frank Hartley President International Union of Operating Engineers 1125 17* Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20036 Dear President Hartley: The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), its leadership, staff and members made an extraordinary contribution to the safety and health of workers at the World Trade Center recovery site. After nearly 3.7 million work-hours, there were no fatalities and injury rates were well below the national average. That record of success is due to the outstanding cooperation and determination of the government, contractor and union partners who joined forces in a common goal - the protection of the workers on site. IUOE representatives, Don Carson and Bruce Lippy, were on-site shortly after the catastrophe. In the long months that followed, IUOE continued to maintain a presence and work tirelessly to improve safety and health at the site. Local leaders were involved too. Local 14-14B, Business Manager Joseph Rizzuto and Local 15 President and Business Manager Thomas Maguire provided ongoing support and leadership. I would like to particularly mention the outstanding contribution of Local 14 Training Director James Conway, and Local 15 Trainer Bruce Murphy and steward Gregg Nolan. Both Jim Conway and Bruce Murphy served on the site Joint Labor-Management committee with distinction. In addition, Local 14 Master Mechanic, Bobbie Gray and Business Agent Frank Gray were instrumental in helping to implement the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Crane Inspection Task Force that identified and achieved abatement for hundreds of crane and rigging related hazards. OSHA would also like to recognize the critical contribution made by Local 30, Business Manager John T. Ahern and Training Director Ralph Pascrella. By working with MSA and 3M, Mr. Pascrella helped us provide medical evaluations and quantitative fit-testing of respirators to thousands of rescue and construction workers on the site and was instrumental in protecting workers from exposure to hazardous substances. The IUOE also helped identify trainers to deliver a basic safety orientation 2 program to 2,000 on-site workers. Your members were essential in establishing a two-tiered Labor-Management Health and Safety Committee that worked to identify hazards, conduct weekly site inspections, propose safety interventions and discuss safety issues with members at daily toolbox talks. On behalf of OSHA and the entire U.S. Department of Labor, I send our deepest thanks for the IUEO's professionalism and commitment to the safety and health of workers who risked their lives daily at this tragic worksite. Your presence made a difference that translated into lives saved and injuries prevented. Sincerely, John L. Henshaw 2 Mr. Sidney Ellis Director of Marketing North Safety Products 2000 Plainfield Pike Cranston, Rhode Island 02920 Dear Mr. Ellis: Following the September 11,2001 attacks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintained a round-the-clock presence at the World Trade Center site, working with many public and private sector partners to protect the well being of the workers at that location. Our combined efforts were a great success. After more than 3.7 million work hours, there were no fatalities and only a small number of lost work days due to on-the-job injuries. That incredible safety record reflects the dedication and commitment of North Safety Products. Without your generous support and assistance, the numbers might tell a very different story. With your help, OSHA distributed over 130,600 respirators, collected more than 6,500 personal, area and bulk samples and identified and corrected over 9,000 hazards at the site. Your company was supportive at a time when America needed you. Your staff worked diligently to ensure that OSHA staff had adequate respirators, gloves, hard hats, reflective vests (or other PPE) to distribute to the workers and uniformed personnel at the World Trade Center. They did it with professionalism, commitment and a tremendous sense of purpose. Please know that you have the heartfelt gratitude of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the thanks of a grateful nation for all you did to help this country recover from the events of 9-11 and recommit itself to the principles that keep America strong. Sincerely, John L. Henshaw name Mr. Edward J. Malloy Mr. Louis J. Coletti Mr. Raymond McGuire, Esq. Mr. James Bovis Lend 200 Park Lease LMB, Abadie, Avenue Inc. GS/SVP/PIC Vice President Turner Mr. Richard and Manager Construction Bach of Logistics Company Vice President 260 Madison Mr. Michael Gabbay Avenue Mr. Frank McArdle, Esq. Mr. Peter Tully Mr. Nicholas Scoppetta Mr. John A. Cavanagh Mr. Kenneth Holden GCA 60 East 42nd Street Tully Construction Co., Inc. Fire Department of New York AMEC addressl Building Construction . Trades Council Chairman and Building CEO Trades Employers' Association CAGNY 950 3rd Avenue, 15th Floor company President address2 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 501 44 West 28th Street, 12th Floor New York, NY 10022 9th Floor address3 New York, NY 10010 New York, NY 10001 salutation Mr. Malloy Mr. Coletti Mr. McGuire President Commissioner Vice Chairman Commissioner Department of Design and Construction New York, NY 10166 New 375 York, NY Hudson 10014 Street 9th Floor New York, NY 10011 New Suite 35York, NY 10 10165 127-50 Flushing, NY Northern Boulevard 11368 Brooklyn, 9 Metro NY Tech Center 11201 New 1633 Broadway, York, NY 24th Floor 10019 Long 3030 Thompson Island Street City, NY 11101 Mr. Abadie Mr. Bach Mr. Gabbay Mr. McArdle Mr. Tully Commissioner Scoppetta Mr. Cavanagh Commissioner Holden JOHN HENSHAW UPCOMING SPEECHES & MEETINGS - NOVEMBER 2001 Date Event Location Pentagon City Ritz Carolton Sponsoring Organization Organization Resources Counselors, Inc. Purpose Audience Approx. 200 meeting attendees from more than 170 ORC member companies (ORC members only) Press None 11/15/01 Fall Joint Quarterly Mtg. Of ORC's Occupational Safety and Health Group and Western Occupational Safety and Health Group 11/16/01 AK Steel Corporation Butler Works: VPP "Star" Award 11/20/01 World Trade Center Emergency Project Partnership (Signing Ceremony) Butler, PA New York City Keynote address: OSHA's goals and plans, status of key current issues, opportunities for stakeholder participation, new partnership and other voluntary efforts AK Steel Corporation Remarks followed by - Butler Works presentation of VPP "Star" flag and plaque at luncheon OSHA and the City of Attending with the Secretary New York, the of Labor. Brief remarks. Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, the Building Trades Employers' Association and the four prime contractors working at the World Trade Center site Employees and local dignitaries Many individuals from the different groups signing the partnership. None Yes 1 Date Event Location Omaha, NE 11/20/01 Kiewit Construction and HDR Engineering VPP Ceremony Gary Visscher attending for Mr. Henshaw 11/2627/01 Boston Big Dig Sponsoring Organization Kiewit Construction & HDR Engineering Purpose Kiewit: Remarks followed by presentation ceremony. HDR: Panel discussion on "Awareness for Workplace Safety" then presentation ceremony. Tour of Big Dig construction site. Ceremony for signing of partnership agreement. Keynote address: OSHA Update Audience Employees and local dignitaries Press Yes Boston, MA OSHA OSHA staff Possible 11/28/01 National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) Washington, DC OSHA NACOSH members, Safety & Health Stakeholders (Open to Public) Yes 11/29/01 AF&PA Safety and Health Committee Meeting Washington, DC American Forest & Paper Association Speaker: OSHA Update (outreach, enforcement, rulemaking, legislation Members of the AF&PA Safety and Health Committee None 2 Mr. David F. Miller Chairman International Safety Equipment Association 1901 North Moore Street, Suite 808 Arlington, Virginia 22209 Dear Mr. Miller: Following the September 11,2001 attacks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintained a round-the-clock presence at the World Trade Center site, working with many public and private sector partners to protect the well being of the workers at that location. Our combined efforts were a great success. After more than 3.7 million work hours, there were no fatalities and only a small number of lost work days due to on-the-job injuries. That incredible safety record reflects the dedication and commitment of International Safety Equipment Association. Without your generous support and assistance, the numbers might tell a very different story. With your help, OSHA distributed over 130,600 respirators, collected more than 6,500 personal, area and bulk samples and identified and corrected over 9,000 hazards at the site. Your company was supportive at a time when America needed you. Your staff worked diligently to ensure that OSHA staff had adequate respirators, gloves, hard hats, reflective vests (or other PPE) to distribute to the workers and uniformed personnel at the World Trade Center. They did it with professionalism, commitment and a tremendous sense of purpose. Please know that you have the heartfelt gratitude of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the thanks of a grateful nation for all you did to help this country recover from the events of 9-11 and recommit itself to the principles that keep America strong. Sincerely, John L. Henshaw Mr. Richard C. Miller CEO & President Bullard 1898 Safety Way Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031 Dear Mr. Miller: Following the September 11,2001 attacks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintained a round-the-clock presence at the World Trade Center site, working with many public and private sector partners to protect the well being of the workers at that location. Our combined efforts were a great success. After more than 3.7 million work hours, there were no fatalities and only a small number of lost work days due to on-the-job injuries. That incredible safety record reflects the dedication and commitment of Bullard. Without your generous support and assistance, the numbers might tell a very different story. With your help, OSHA distributed over 130,600 respirators, collected more than 6,500 personal, area and bulk samples and identified and corrected over 9,000 hazards at the site. Your company was supportive at a time when America needed you. Your staff worked diligently to ensure that OSHA staff had adequate respirators, gloves, hard hats, reflective vests (or other PPE) to distribute to the workers and uniformed personnel at the World Trade Center. They did it with professionalism, commitment and a tremendous sense of purpose. Please know that you have the heartfelt gratitude of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the thanks of a grateful nation for all you did to help this country recover from the events of 9-11 and recommit itself to the principles that keep America strong. Sincerely, John L. Henshaw John L. Henshaw National Safety Congress Chicago, Illinois September 9, 2003 << Good morning. I'm very pleased to join you today. I want to look both ways this morning -- toward what we've accomplished during the past year and toward what we plan to do next year -- and for the next five years. It's really all about results. About our return on investment -- your investment. What have we done with the taxpayers' investment in occupational safety and health? What do we have to show for our efforts? We're coming into the homestretch for Fiscal Year 2003 -- and we've got 10 months worth of data to examine. So let's take a look. o - Three Strategies o During the past year, OSHA has focused on three strategies to drive safety and health performance: 1. Strong, fair and effective,jenforcement 2. Outreach, education andfcompliance assistance 3. Partnerships and cooperative programs o Let's review each of these and then look toward the future. Strong, fair and effective enforcement o Enforcement must continue to be the underpinning of everything we do. It must be strong and effective and must produce change where necessary. And we will continue our enforcement emphasis programs and our Site Specific Targeting program, which are based on the data we receive each year from employers in high hazard industries. We also have instituted an^nfoafi-ced: Enforcement Program to address recalcitrant employers -- those who've been repeatedly cited but haven't corrected their problems. We are interested in results -- compliance and reducing hazards and not just counting citations and penalties issued. As for where we've been, I'm pleased that as we near the end of the fiscal year, we're ahead of our targets for most of our enforcement measures. Comparing our 10-month data with the same period last year, inspections are up, significant cases are up arid total violations cited are up, I believe we are maximizing our resources and zeroirig'irTon the sites where we need to be with enforcement. The real measure will be: Have workplaces changed? I want to also mention our enforcement related to ergonomics. When we announced our new four-pronged approach to ergonomics 18 months ago, we indicated that enforcement would be a key element. We also said that facilities that were making a o o o o good faith effort in addressing ergonomics would not be targeted for enforcement, o We have followed through with that commitment. As a result, over the last 18 months, we have conducted ~1,332 inspections for ergonomics, followed up with hundreds of hazard alert letters. We have issued 11 general duty clause citations. This compares to about 251 ergo inspections from 1989 to 1992 and 87 inspections from 1993 to 2000. What makes this period different is that we have built a different enforcement strategy. It is founded on the litigation success of recent years and built for successful prosecution.; : ; In the last 18 months a few of our ergo citations and letters have gone to facilities in corporations with very good ergonomics programs. The citations are based upon the fact that the programs were not effectively implemented in the specific facility. This is a critical point. The corporate commitment must be translated to positive action at the individual facilities. The bottom line is not the numbers of inspections or citations we issue. It is reducing workplace injuries and illnesses. And the Secretary's strategy is designed to do that. There is one number that I want to share with you that is significantly lower this year -- and I'm glad of it. That's fatality investigations. This year we've investigated 164 fewer fatalities than last year. That's a 2 3 % decline. If all other things are equal, which we think fatalities could be -- I stress-could be -- lower for 2003. For God's sake I hope so. .!:&T .o:.'o.-.o.o;.:'.;o.... o> A Next week the Bureau .ofiiLab.br Statistics will be issuing its fatality statistics for Calendar Year 2002. We tope there's a decline. But our investigations thus far this year lead us to a possibility:for an even greater decline in the deaths for 2003. We're also making progress on the standard-setting front by meeting deadlines in our regulatory agenda. We've issued.three final standards thus far this year, and we are actively working on more than a dozen other rulemakings. In addition, we have issuedone final ergonomics guideline and two proposed guidelines and have been working on a wide variety of guidance products. Issues we have addressed include controlling silica exposures in construction, scrap metal recycling, hazard communication and limiting perchlorethylene exposures in dry cleaning. o o o * o o Outreach, education and compliance assistance o Now let's talk about another strategy we are using to improve safety and health in American workplaces. That's outreach, education and compliance assistance. We've promised to expand assistance for those who want to do the right thing -- and we are doing that in many ways. Our resources include 70 compliance assistance specialists that are fully deployed now -- one in each of our area offices. It's their job to help businesses and workers with safety and health trarrriilg, g'utdahce arid encouragement. Each state also offers on-siteconsultation to small businesses through OSHA funding. And our Education Centers are offering many more OSHA training courses -- mostly at community colleges -- and universities. We also have more than 35,000 subscribers to our email news memo -- QuickTakes. v< o o o This is a bi-weekly brief on OSHA policies and progress. I hope you are a subscriber. o OSHA and state agencies have been busy over the past 10 months, conducting nearly 25,000 consultation visits and meeting with employers and employees for safety and health training sessions and seminars. In addition, we handle about 1,900 calls for technical assistance each month. Plus we respond to more than 400 email messages from the public with questions about OSHA standards, services, policies and programs. These are records for the agency. Of course, OSHA's website continues to be one of our most popular sources of information. And visits to our'websfte'shot up dramatically from 2002 to 2003 -- more than doubling in a year. As an example: our Spanish webpage in Feb 2002 got 2,500 hits a month. In'Feb-2003- it received over 23,000 hits. Calls to our toll-free helpline have also increased steadily -- by about 6% over the same period last year. Our website continues to host more and more visitors in part because of the volume and quality of information provided. This includes Safety Health Information Bulletins, interactive software packages we call eTools and new safety and health topics pages. We've also got new publications including an updated version of All About OSHA and Inside the Green Line -- about our work at the World Trade Center. In addition, OSHA is providing more safety and health training through its train-thetrainer program -- nearly 250,000 students thus far this year. These are the popular OSHA 10-hour general industry and construction classes -- offered also in Spanish in some locations. We are also serious about training -- and certification -- for our own staff. We have had a 4 0 % increase in OSHA staff earning professional certifications over past 18 months. More than 12,000 people retoeivetixtfaining through our 64 Susan Harwood grantees as well. And during the past year we expanded our "Education Centers from 12 to 20 so that OSHA training is nowVavailable in-35 sites around the country. These centers trained 12,000 trainers, and our training institute reached an additional 3,000, o o o o o o o * Partnerships and Cooperative Programs We've found that partnerships and cooperative programs are an excellent way to boost safety and health iri the'workplace. And we want to see more of them. Yesterday we announced our 1,000 VPP site - the Titleist Ball Plant #2 in North Dartmouth Massachusetts. VPP as you know is our premier partnership. And VPP sites save millions each year because injury and illness rates at VPP sites are more than 55 percent below the averages for their industries. o We also have 665 small businesses participating in SHARP -- our recognition program for those who have successfully established effective safety and health systems with the help of our consultation program. In addition, we have nearly 200 Strategic Partnerships, with more than 100 in the strategic areas of construction, shipbuilding, food processing, logging, and nursing homes. More than 4,500 employers and 200,000 employees currently participate. o And we have signed 80 Alliances focused on training and outreach. And we have signed 80 Alliances focused on training and outreach. << l a m excited about the very strong growth that we've experienced over the past 10 months in our recognition programs. We had targeted growth in 2003 of just over 100 in both SHARP and VPP,.J3ut in fact we have 240 new programs -- an increase of 130% over our 2003 target ."All this while exceeding our targets in enforcement. I am equally pleased with the expansion of Strategic Partnerships and our new Alliances. Together these programs have grown more than 40% beyond what we forecast. Clearly, employers and employees are interested in developing positive, cooperative relationships with OSHA -- and workplaces are benefiting from that commitment. We have other partnerships as well -- such as our construction partnerships with the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators and the Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists. o o OSHA 5-Year Plan o As many of you know, OSHA has developed a five-year strategic management plan to guide us through the years ahead. This is our business plan -- a balanced approach to assure we achieve highest performance over the next several years. The bottom line on our'plan is very simple. It's reducing the rate of fatalities by at least 15% and the rate of injuries/illnesses by at least 20%. As I said, our Strategic Management Plan will take a balanced approach to achieve maximum results, the bestROl. We'll be focusing on performance measures, outcomes, and leading and trailing measures to determine our impact. We will be targeting high hazard workplaces through our traditional data collection and site specific targeting programs as well as our outreach, partnerships and cooperative programs. In addition, we'll focus on hard-to-reach workers such as immigrant workers, contract workers and those who have more than one job or change jobs often. We will also zero in on teen workers. We are also going to be addressing nontraditional areas. This includes homeland security and workplace emergencies, motor vehicle fatalities in the workplace and workplace violence. Outreach and partnerships will be particularly important here. ' 'SHA has u?v< >. > < << o o o o Direct Intervention o We will continue our foc'us^bri.strong, fair and effective enforcement. We are looking to complete over 37,700 jnspections in 2003 and in 2004. We expect our state partners to conduct more "than 50,000 inspections this year. And consultation programs will complete nearly 30,000 visits. For 2003/2004, we will be focusing specifically on seven industries. We believe this is where we can have the greatest impact in reducing injuries, illnesses and deaths -because these industries experience many severe injuries. o Ergonomics o We will continue the Secretary's four-pronged approach to ergonomics. We expect to issue final guidelines on poultry processing and groceries soon. We'll also draft guidelines for shipyards... and we're exploring where we need to go from there. There will be more. The National Advisory Committee on Ergonomics has suggested we hold a symposium for published researchers to discuss research methodologies and issues-and we plan to do that. We will expand our outreach -- through the 16 Alliances focusing on ergonomics and additional ones we will sign. And we'll continue our enforcement efforts. '.' " o" o Standards and Guidance o We have developed a solid track record, putting our money where our mouth is on OSHA's regulatory agenda. We've said it's a "to do" list not a "wish" list -- and we mean it. And we are holding ourselves accountable for meeting the dates in the agenda. We are making good progress in developing a proposal on hexavalent chromium -- and we intend to meet our goal. You will see that we will continue to meet our goals when the new regulatory agenda comes out later this fall. o Compliance Assistance and Cooperative Programs o Direct intervention will always be necessary to ensure workplace safety and health. At the same time, lasting solutions will come about because employers, workers, and many others embrace a safety and health culture in the workplace. Compliance assistance and cooperative, programs are,the best vehicles for promoting a safety and health culture. : r ' \.'.\.~.. " 1 * " As I mentioned earlier,.'we're\exceeding our targets for this year in working cooperatively with employers and employees. We expect to recognize a similar number of sites and establish a like number of partnerships in 2004. Partnerships can make a huge difference. OSHA has had partnerships with three stadium projects -- including the Bears' stadium here in Chicago, the new Green Bay stadium and the Patriots' sta'dilim in'Massachusetts. And the results have been outstanding. :^:h'..-:\ Vy<<" '; There hasn't been a single fatality at any of the sites. And every project has saved a significant amount on workers' comp costs. Why? Commitment to excellence, to holding safety and health at the heart of the effort, and working in partnership with all stakeholders involved. OSHA wants to partner on more projects like these. OSHA's alliances are helping us make a very real difference in the workplace. Last month we signed an alliance with Liberty Mutual Research Institute that will help us target our outreach resources toward the most costly injuries -- overexertions, falls and bodily reactions -- based on the institute's Workplace Safety Index. Later this morning we will sign an alliance with the International Safety Equipment Association focusing omoutreach: and communication about the importance of proper o o o o o selection, use and maintenance of PPE. o Tomorrow we will sign an agreement with Abbott Laboratories that calls for partnering with business schpbls to make the business case for safety and health in MBA level seminars. And I.am very encouraged about the NSC and ExxonMobile project announced yesterday. I know we can sell safety and health as a key business element. And immediately after my speech this morning, I will sign an alliance with the National Safety Council focusing on outreach and communication on such issues as vehicle safety, first aid, CPR and AED training and safety and health management systems. Of course, my goal is to find a way to greatly expand Voluntary Protection Programs, our premier partnership. Last year, I challenged the VPPPA to help us find a way to dramatically increase participation in VPP-from 850 to 8,000 sites. We came up with three new VPP initiatives that I announced yesterday in Washington at the VPPPA annual conference. If the pilots work out/these initiatives could bring in up to 2,000 to 3,000 additional VPP sites in a few years. The new initiatives include VPP Challenge, VPP Corporate and VPP Construction. o VPP Challenge -- a phased entry to VPP for sites that have the commitment to excellence but need a strategy to achieve it. Potential for 500 new sites. VPP Corporate -- a,streamlined application and entry process for corporations that ar-ei'seeking to bring a significant number of sites into VPP. As many as 1,000 -additional sites. VPP Construction -- separate criteria for construction sites to address that industry's needs -- based on evaluation of our current demonstration programs. Up to 500 new sites. o o o o o o We're also expanding the help we provide to employers and employees -- through our website, our 800 number, our compliance assistance specialists and our training efforts. One of our goals is to increase the number of students who receive OSHA training by 10% -- that's next year and for each of the following years as well! We will particularly target youth, immigrant workers and small businesses. In addition we'll focus our outreach on sbrrie'of-theTi'ontraditionalissues that we need to address -- ergonomics, motor vehicle'accidents and workplace violence. ^? o Homeland Security o OSHA will continue to play a major role in homeland security. We have firmly established our responsibility as the key agency for worker safety and health in emergencies as part of the National Response Team. The agency will continue developing helpful materials on its website for first responders and skilled'suppbrtpersonnel. We will be announcing specific training in this are very soon. We are also developing two new eTools -- one on emergency site safety and health plans and another on the operation of the incident command o system. Hispanic Outreach o We want to continue to expand QUI: outreach to Hispanic workers. One of our strategies is to hold a ^ s ^ . r ^ ^ ^ ' j l r h m l ^ a n t Worker summit with NIOSH. NACOSH recommended we do th.isr-,tp;- -:..,_"..<-, , M o o o o Showcase success stories. Gather information/recommendations for future activities. Highlight current OSHA/NIOSH efforts. Create new networks among participants. OSHA Capabilities o We also intend to strengthen OSHA's infrastructure and capabilities. We are moving forward on a diversity initiative, seeking to hire the right people with the language skills and technical experience we need. We're emphasizing professional development and certification. Our target is a 10% increase in certifications each year. We are developing a balanced, integrated management system that allows us to improve our operations in areas.of priority planning and preparing budgets as well as in the areas of program evaluation; personnel development and hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. .' '* : v ,..o_oM o o Closing o OSHA's strategy is a blueprint for reaching our triple bottom line -- reduced injuries, illnesses and deaths on the job. oI o We have a sound plan. We have a balanced approach. We have an innovative, creative strategy. . ...,.;,,, ,. . o -< > . . ; Now we just need to work together with safety and health professionals, employers and employees to get results. I know this is the strategy that can move us forward toward our ultimate goal -- zero injuries, illnesses and deaths in America's workplaces. o <> Governor <> <> <> <> Dear Governor <>: All of us at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) deeply appreciate youi; providing us staff from your state occupational safety and health program fs) ,10assist in oug, response to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster. Thank you -and your citizens- for partnering with OSHA to protect thousands of workers in New York City. OSHA and ou- state partners ji-ve been heavily involved at the WTC site seeking to assure the safety of workers at what hasTbeen perhaps the world's most dangerous construction site. The state safety and health pTofessionals who assisted at the W V C worked Imp, and difficult shifts, and we commend 1 hjmfpr then outstanding and jotfless .vork^V -'itn these and other efforts, OSHA has observed a dramatic d^oease i'~ serious hazaras at the site. T September 11,2001, is a day we all will remember. We also will remember the generosity of Americans in the aftermath of the tragedy - both financially and in personal terms. tYqur staff members who '-'olunteered for this assignment .have made a significant contribution in a very personal way to the d faster relief aL the WTC as have Lie citizens of;. our state, Lv loaning us tvour state safety and health professionals to^p-ovide,round-the-clock service to help protect,workers at the disaster site. t ,Thank you, your personnel, and the citizens of your state for sharing your best with us, and with the City of New York. You have all of OSHA's heartfelt thanks for this most welcome gift of dedication, service, and for a job well done. Sincerely, Deleted sharing with { Deleted: in response j Deleted: to the Deleted: many assisting organizations across the country , continue to be Deleted: become i Deleted: Deleted: Last month I Deleted: we signed the World Trade j Center Emergency Project Partnership Agreement formalizing a commitment to safety and health among contractors, employees, : employee representatives, and i government agencies participating in the emergency response efforts. This partnership will solidify all the work we have done together. Deleted: <[ ( 1 j Deleted: The citizens of your Deleted: state f Deleted:. They loaned I Deleted: people f Deleted: bolster Deleted: our fDeleted: Deleted: Deleted: > <> <> ' Deleted: f _ j i Deleted: f name Mr. Edward J. Malloy Mr. Louis J. Coletti Mr. Raymond McGuire, Esq. Mr. James Bovis Lend 200 Park Avenue Lease LMB, Abadie, GS/SVP/PIC Inc. Vice President Turner Mr. Richard and Manager Construction Bach of Logistics. Company Mr. Michael Vice President 260 Madison Avenue Gabbay Mr. Frank McArdle, Esq. Mr. Peter Tully Mr. Nicholas Scoppetta Mr. John A. Cavanagh Mr. Kenneth Holden addressl Building Construction Trades Council Chairman and Building CEO Trades Employers' Association CAGNY 950 3rd Avenue, 15th Floor company President address2 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 501 44 West 28th Street, 12th Floor New York, NY 10022 9th Floor address3 New York, NY 10010 New York, NY 10001 salutation Mr. Malloy Mr. Coletti Mr. McGuire New York, NY 10166 New 375 York, NY Hudson 10014 Street 9th Floor New York, NY 10011 New GCA 60 East 42nd Suite 35a io i York, NY Stueet 10 T 10165 President Tully 127-50 Flushing, Construction Northern NY Boulevard 11368 Co., Inc. Brooklyn, Commissioner Fire 9 Metro NY Department Tech of New York Center 11201 New 1633 Vice AMEC Broadway, York, NY Chairman 24th Floor 10019 Long Commissioner Department 3030 6? Design i > Thompson Island < ; and' t . Street City, NY 11101 Construction ' Mr. Abadie Mr. Bach Mr. Gabbay Mr. McArdle Mr. Tully Commissioner Scoppetta Mr. Cavanagh Commissioner Holden ' j . nametitle Judy Martz state addressl address2 address3 name The Honorable Jeanne Shaheen State of New Hampshire State House Room 208 Concord, NH 03301 Shaheen The Honorable Frank Keating The Honorable John A. Kitzhaber, MD State of Oklahoma State Capitol Room 212 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Keating State of Oregon 900 Court Street Salem, OR 97301-4047 Kitzhaber ccl Dept. of Labor and Industry cc: Steve Beyer, NH Dept. of Health and Human Services cc: Diana Jones, Oklahoma Dept. of Labor cc: Peter DeLuca, Oregon Dept. of Consumer & Business Services C( S] O D C & B The Honorable Mark Schweiker The Honorable Jim Hodges State of Pennsylvania Room 225 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 Schweiker State of South Carolina P.O. Box 11829 Columbia, SC 292111829 Hodges cc: John Engler, Indiana University of Pennsylvania cc: Rita McKinney, S C Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation cc: Michael E. Magill, Tennessee Dept. of Labor cc: Tasha Wallis, Vermont Dept. of Labor & The Honorable State of Tennessee State Capitol Don Sundquist Nashville, TN 372430001 Sundquist The Honorable Howard Dean, M D State of Vermont 109 State Street Montpelier, V T 05609 Dean c( Pi D L L & R c( M T D L c< IV V D L nametitle The Honorable Mark Warner state State of Virginia address 1 State Capitol address2 Richmond, VA 23219 address3 name Warner ccl Industry cc: C. Ray Davenport, VA Dept. of Labor & Industry cc: Victor Rivera Hernandez, PR Dept. of Labor & Human Resources Ir C( C D L Ir cc B Si The Honorable Sila Calderon P.O. Box Commonwealth La of Puerto Rico Fortaleza 9020082 Calderon San Juan, PR 009020082 P: ol & R nametitle The Honorable Mike Huckabee The Honorable Jeb Bush state State of Arkansas address 1 address2 State Room 250 Capitol address3 Little Rock, AR 72201 State of Florida The Capitol Tallahassee, FL 323990001 The Honorable RoyE. Barnes The Honorable Dirk Kempthorne The Honorable Angus King, Jr. The Honorable John Engler State of Georgia 203 State Atlanta, GA 30334 Capitol State of Idaho 700 W. Jefferson Street 1 State House Station Boise, ID 83720 State of Maine Augusta, ME 04333 State of Michigan P.O. Box Lansing, 30013 MI 48909 ccl cc: Clark E. Thomas, Arkansas Dept. of Labor Bush cc: Charlene Vespi, University of South Florida cc: Daniel Barnes Ortiz, Georgia Institute of Technology Kempthorne cc: Lisa Hill, Boise State University King cc: David Wacker, State House Station #45 Engler cc: Kathleen Wilbur, MI Dept. of Consumer & Industry Services name Huckabee C( D E D C & Si The Honorable Ronnie Musgrove The Honorable Jane Swift State of Mississippi P.O. Box Jackson, MS 39205 139 Musgrove State of Massachusetts State House Room 360 Boston, MA 02133 Swift The Honorable State of Montana State Capitol P.O. Box 0801 Helena, Martz MT 59620 cc: Kelly M. Tucker, Mississippi State University cc: Joseph LaMalva, Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development cc: Sandra Mihalik, Ms. Marsha Johnson Evans President and CEO The American Red Cross 43017th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006 Dear Ms. Johnson Evans: The caring and compassion of The American Red Cross for those in need are legendary. There is no finer example of The American Red Cross' commitment and dedication than your efforts to bring relief to those affected by the tragedy that befell New York City's World Trade Center and, indeed, our entire nation on September 11,2001. Immediately following the attacks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration maintained a round-the-clock presence in and around the World Trade Center site as well as at the Staten Island Landfill. Not surprisingly, the American Red Cross was there too. As a result, OSHA representatives witnessed first-hand some of the many services your people provided to the workers and others in need at the disaster and recovery sites. Day and night, the Red Cross was there to provide grief and mental health counseling, support services and meals too numerous to count. On behalf of OSHA and the entire U.S. Department of Labor, please accept our heartfelt gratitude for the work you did in New York. It was our honor to have worked alongside your volunteers, helping our nation recovery and recommit itself to the principles that keep America strong. Sincerely, John L. Henshaw <> Governor <> <> <> <> Dear Governor <>: Please extend my gratitude to the <> staff who worked with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure the safety and health of workers at the World Trade Center disaster site. Since the tragedy on September 11, the OSHA staff and others from throughout America have been working at the World Trade Center disaster site around the clock, seven days a week. More than 1,000 federal and state safety pnd health professionals Jrave, helped to protect workers engaged in recovery, demolition, and site clearing operations. Together, these individuals have taken more than 6,061, air and bulk samples for asbestos, silica, lead and other metals, carbon monoxide, noise, and numerous organic and inorganic compounds to help in risk assessment and monitoring. They have distributed more than ,1.30,000 respirators, showed workers how to use these respirators, and provided round-the-clock monitoring of the site to identify and correct hazards. We deeply appreciate the dedication of these workers and their willingness to set aside personal plans and projects. We especially thank you for your willingness to send staff from the <> to help the Nation in this time of need. Their assistance to OSHA and to their fellow Americans in New York City exemplifies the best in public service. Sincerely, Deleted: individuals ] Deleted: been helping j Deleted: 2,200 1 j | [ Deleted: 110,000 > Elaine L. Chao <> <> <> Mr. John Ryan, III CEO MSA Corp. RIDC Industrial Park 121 Gamma Drive Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15238 Dear Mr. Ryan: Following the September 11,2001 attacks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintained a round-the-clock presence at the World Trade Center site, working with many public and private sector partners to protect the well being of the workers at that location. Our combined efforts were a great success. After more than 3.7 million work hours, there were no fatalities and only a small number of lost work days due to on-the-job injuries. That incredible safety record reflects the dedication and commitment of MSA Corp. Without your generous support and assistance, the numbers might tell a very different story. With your help, OSHA distributed over 130,600 respirators, collected more than 6,500 personal, area and bulk samples and identified and corrected over 9,000 hazards at the site. Your company was supportive at a time when America needed you. Your staff worked diligently to ensure that OSHA staff had adequate respirators, gloves, hard hats, reflective vests (or other PPE) to distribute to the workers and uniformed personnel at the World Trade Center. They did it with professionalism, commitment and a tremendous sense of purpose. Please know that you have the heartfelt gratitude of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the thanks of a grateful nation for all you did to help this country recover from the events of 9-11 and recommit itself to the principles that keep America strong. Sincerely, John L. Henshaw Mr. James McNerney CEO 3M Corp. 3M Center Bldg. 220-14W-04 St. Paul, Minnesota 55144-1000 Dear Mr. McNerney: Following the September 11,2001 attacks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintained a round-the-clock presence at the World Trade Center site, working with many public and private sector partners to protect the well being of the workers at that location. Our combined efforts were a great success. After more than 3.7 million work hours, there were no fatalities and only a small number of lost work days due to on-the-job injuries. That incredible safety record reflects the dedication and commitment of 3M Corp. Without your generous support and assistance, the numbers might tell a very different story. With your help, OSHA distributed over 130,600 respirators, collected more than 6,500 personal, area and bulk samples and identified and corrected over 9,000 hazards at the site. Your company was supportive at a time when America needed you. Your staff worked diligently to ensure that OSHA staff had adequate respirators, gloves, hard hats, reflective vests (or other PPE) to distribute to the workers and uniformed personnel at the World Trade Center. They did it with professionalism, commitment and a tremendous sense of purpose. Please know that you have the heartfelt gratitude of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the thanks of a grateful nation for all you did to help this country recover from the events of 9-11 and recommit itself to the principles that keep America strong. Sincerely, John L. Henshaw Mr. Charles Freiberg Manager Vallen Occupational Health Services 1202 East Sam Houston Parkway South Pasadena, Texas 77503 Dear Mr. Freiberg: Following the September 11,2001 attacks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintained a round-the-clock presence at the World Trade Center site, working with many public and private sector partners to protect the well being of the workers at that location. Our combined efforts were a great success. After more than 3.7 million work hours, there were no fatalities and only a small number of lost work days due to on-the-job injuries. That incredible safety record reflects the dedication and commitment of Vallen Occupational Health Services. Without your generous support and assistance, the numbers might tell a very different story. With your help, OSHA distributed over 130,600 respirators, collected more than 6,500 personal, area and bulk samples and identified and corrected over 9,000 hazards at the site. Your company was supportive at a time when America needed you. Your staff worked diligently to ensure that OSHA staff had adequate respirators, gloves, hard hats, reflective vests (or other PPE) to distribute to the workers and uniformed personnel at the World Trade Center. They did it with professionalism, commitment and a tremendous sense of purpose. Please know that you have the heartfelt gratitude of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the thanks of a grateful nation for all you did to help this country recover from the events of 9-11 and recommit itself to the principles that keep America strong. Sincerely, John L. Henshaw Talking Points for John Henshaw New York City Rescue Operations On behalf of the Administration and the Department of Labor, we all give heartfelt thanks to Governor Pataki, Mayor Gulliani, the scores of public servants, and private citizens who have aided in the Herculean rescue operation underway in this city. As we try to recover from the initial shock wave that gripped our nation, and New York and Washington in particular, our hearts break for the untold number of victims and their families. At the same time we have concern for the workers - those engaged in the painful rescue operation and those getting ready to go back to their jobs. That is why is OSHA is here. We are coordinating with others, EPA in particular, to help make sure their workplaces are safe. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao asked me to come to New York - to join our staff already on the ground - to show our support and to make it clear that the Department of Labor and OSHA care about the well being of those who trying to restore this city to normal and those who want to resume the nation's business. One of the important things we are doing here is testing for asbestos and any other hazardous substances that might be harmful. So far, indications are good that harmful levels do not exist. But we want to make certain. We also want to be sure that workers here are protecting themselves - wearing respirators, eye goggles if neededyahd any other protective equipment that be a warranted. iSi'i-. our ,. o< . o ii-.o i m OSHA is providing technical assistance and advice to other federal agencies - including the FBI and ATF - and to private employers such as Con Edison regarding protection of their workers. v. o i And we are providing similar advice and assistance to rescue operations at the Pentagon where there are concerns about asbestos exposure and structural stability. As President Bush said earlier this week, our way of life, our very freedom, came under attack this week. In the midst of this tragedy, we are resolved to do the work that is needed to serve our country and protect our fellow citizens. That is why we are here. ### Tiller, Amy - OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Zoldan Efraim Thursday, September 20, 2001 6:49 PM Zoldan Efraim; Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Clark Patricia K New York RE: Congressional Questions - Update 1 3 EPA has shared their grid map with OSHA 5 We will continue our safety monitoring visits in conjunction with Bechtel and NYC Department of Design and Construction staff and intervene providing compliance assistance when hazards are noted. We are recording the intervention data by company and type of hazard as well as corrective action. This data is being shared with the contractors by DDC/Bechtel staff. Richard Mendelson and staff will have meetings with the contractors and discuss the intervention data It is our intent to continue the compliance assistance until we no longer have a recovery operation but rather a strict contractor controlled demolition operation. We are in the process of developing a transition strategy and will discuss with you prior to implementation Original Message-- From: Zoldan Efraim Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 2:48 PM To: Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Cc: Adams Nancy-OSHA; Clark Patricia K New York Subject: FW: Congressional Questions John, The following text serves as a response to your earlier email regarding possible congressional inquiries. We previously sent you the sampling grid map via email and hard copy. We will update as necessary 1. We have shared all our sampling data to date with EPA. This has been confirmed by our staff. We also received EPA data and are in the process of summarizing and comparing it to our data. We are currently participating in a 10.00am conference call on a daily basis with a subgroup of the National Response Team primarily composed of EPA staff Additionally, we are attending a daily air sampling meeting at 2:00pm in which the attendance is primarily EPA staff along with NYCity DOH staff. We are participating on every NRT call which is 3:00pm daily and reporting the previous day's sampling results to the group. The EPA folks from the above subgroups and other EPA staff attend this call. We continue to build relationships with the EPA sampling groups. 2 We have shared with EPA staff our proposed sampling schedule which primarily will be focused on the immediate perimeter of the hot zone and workers in the debris pile. In fact this morning's sampling includes workers in the debris pile We will also continue to sample in the financial district until further notice from you. Results from the financial district continue to be low. We also have a copy of EPA's sampling plan and we are trying to coordinate with them. 3. We previously sent you OSHA's sampling grid map via email and faxed a hard copy. We also shared the map with EPA and asked them to provide us with an overlay or a similar map. To date we have had 40 staff persons air sampling of which the majority are industrial hygienists. A total of 149 samples have been taken to date, 115 air samples and 34 bulk samples. 4 To date we have had 25 OSHA, 24 New Jersey PEOSH and 30 New York PESH staff distributing and fit-checking respirators. With OSHA gaining control of the fit checking/testing function we will expect an increase in field presence from ail three organizations. As of today we will be staffing two additional offsite respirator distribution sites located at the Staten Island Home Port and in Flushing, Queens close to Shea Stadium. Upon gaining control of this function we also expect to initiate formal fit testing via use of porta counts as close to each entry point as possible. 5. Response to follow. 6. Nothing at this time l From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Zoldan Efraim Friday, September 21, 2001 7:11 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Clark Patricia K New York; Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Kulick Robert-OSHA RE: WTC Update 10 - 9/21/01 External Coordination - FEMA, OEM We have decided to exert leadership for worker protection issues by establishing, leading and coordinating a daily meeting at PS-89. The primary focus will be personal air sampling and characterization of the hot zone and PPE. This forum will also serve to communicate our transition strategy when rescue efforts cease. Staff accompanied Coast Guard Strike Force and EPA representatives on a tour of all washing facilities. Currently 6-8 personnel washing stations are functioning in addition to those used for heavy equipment and vehicles. We are assisting them by providing input into deciding where personnel stations should be located. We are also communicating with the two private companies contracted to conduct washing, Clean Harbors and Miller. Today we met with representatives of the Operating Engineers. They are cooperating with us so we can conduct personal air sampling for the heavy equipment operators. RA Clark is arranging a meeting with Ed Malloy, President of the Building Trades for the City of New York to discuss our sampling data to date and to discuss safety and health issues for his members onsite. We are also trying to gain his support for the personal sampling of his members and the use of PPE and good safety practices onsite. OSHA reps met with OEM officials and provided input into the City's proposed PPE plan. Of particular note, the City is proposing requiring a combo filter for half-mask respirator's to include, hepa, organic vapor and acid gas. We informed them that the use of the acid gas cartridge was not appropriate or necessary, in fact it could obstruct the worker's vision We will continue to provide input into this plan based on our continued characterization of the site. We now have dedicated phone and e-mail at the Mayor's Office command post. Press and Public Relations: An OSHA press release is expected to be released tomorrow. Public Affairs rep onsite forwarded the first batch of digital photos of the debris pile and surrounding area. Photos also depict OSHA staff at work. While going to get some lunch, an OSHA staff member, (CAS Buffalo), came a upon a press conference being held by Mayor Giuliani and Governor Pataki. At the end of the conference, the Mayor turned and saw our OSHA rep. The Mayor stated that he was, "Glad to see OSHA's presence here", and "You are doing a good job!". Although the cameras were probably off, several reporters heard the Mayor's comments. Another OSHA staff member, (AAD Manhattan), was approached by former New York City Police Commissioner, Howard Safir and a contingent of detectives and Sony executives. Mr. Safir asked about respiratory protection. The OSHA rep offered to get the respirators and fit check the group. They accepted the offer and asked if the OSHA rep could accompany them on a tour of the site. The OSHA rep agreed and spent approximately two hours with the group. Upon completing the tour Mr. Safir, the SONY reps and the rest of the group thanked the OSHA rep and praised him and our organization. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: We continued our daily air monitoring in three areas, the financial district, the warm zone and the hot zone near ground zero. We increased the number of samples for personnel working in the debris pile. Today, 55 samples were taken. All samples results to date are within acceptable limits. Results from the financial district continue to be very low. We continue to share our sampling data and plan with EPA. We are following up on information received today from the command center concerning a lack of personal air monitoring being done at Fresh Kills. l We are trying to characterize each and every entry point into the hot zone to determine the need for respiratory protection We are conducting area samples around the perimeter of the hot zone and at each entry point. An emphasis is now being put on lead and other metals as a result of burning and cutting operations that are now increasing in the debris pile In a previous update we reported a personal air sample result of .232 fibers/cc taken by Con Edison on 9/15/01 at Park Place and West End. Con Ed is sharing data with us and resampled this same location two days ago. The results were 02.and .004 fibers/cc. OSHA staff were present on today's National Response Team conference calls and attended the daily air sampling meeting Personnel Resource Coordination: We received strong support from Regions 1, 3 and 4. They will be sending 11,15 and 10 CSHO's respectively who will report on Monday, 9/24/01. We developed a formal orientation program which will be presented to all staff on Monday. (Agenda attached) We also developed an Emergency Evacuation Plan for the site which will be shared with all staff on Monday. (Copy attached) Equipment Coordination: Nothing to report. Safety Team Monitors: We continued to conduct safety monitoring visits. The latest data depicts an increase in injuries amongst construction workers. This is consistent with the increase in construction workers onsite. However, the injuries continue to be minor in nature. Respirator Fit Testing: We have increased the number of staff conducting this function to 24 per day. Approximately 2600 respirators are distributed per day. We also set up stations in Staten Island and Queens. Both points serve as staging areas for Fire and Police Departments. The Staten Island site is also servicing personnel working at Fresh Kills. Status of Manhattan Area Office: GSA continues to work with us to establish permanent space for the Manhattan Area Office. Considerable progress has been made in the past two days. EvacPlan.doc (22 World Trade Center KB) Orientation... 2 Federal OSHA Emergency Evacuation Plan For Operations at the World Trade Center Disaster Site (rev. 9/21/01) o Numerous site surveys, by OSHA and other agencies, have identified several conditions which might warrant an emergency evacuation. This includes the unplanned collapse of all, or portions of, several buildings in and around the WTC complex. There is also a slight chance for catastrophic release of hazardous materials. In the event of any unusual occurrence which may threaten the safety of OSHA persomiel on site, any and all such personnel shall immediately evacuate the area. Upon arrival at the site and during the course of your duties, acquaint yourself with the street names and landmarks. Preplan in your mind possible escape routes as you go about your tasks. Think ahead about where to go and how it would be safe to get there, and an alternate way if that route is blocked. The site evacuation signal is three repeated blasts of an air horn or a siren. If the signal is sounded, immediately exit the site via the shortest safe route. Avoid any possible collapse zones. In case of an imminent danger evacuation, leave behind all equipment. Attempt to move people along with yourself but do not delay your own egress. Travel north ("uptown") to 26 Federal Plaza (federal office building located on Broadway between Duane and Worth Streets). The muster point will be in front of that building, on Broadway. In the event of any smaller occurrence which does not pose an imminent danger to life, regroup at the fit-test operation inside of PS/IS 89 (public school on southwest coiner of Chambers and West Streets). In case of any unusual incident, immediately notify the Regional Office (212-337-2378). If unable to make contact, or outside of nonnal business hours, call the OSHA desk at the command post at Pier 92 (917-678-7902). If you have any questions, please contact your team leader. Miller, Amy-OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: _ _ _ - _ _ ^ ^ ^ _ ^ _ ^ ^ ^ ^ _ . Zoldan Efraim Saturday, September 22, 2001 5:30 PM Findlay Cameron; Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Clark Patricia K New York; Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Kulick Robert-OSHA WTC Update 11 (9/22/01) External Coordination Met with the FBI safety and health manager and their Hazardous Material Response Unit. Will continue sharing our sampling data; also will coordinate PPE and other safety and health issues, e.g., bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials and airborne contaminants. Made contact with the U.S. Secret Service and offered technical support and assistance on safety and health issues. Also coordinated respirator fit checking for their personnel at PS-89. Provided suggestions to the U.S. Coast Guard for modifications to improve operations of six functioning wash stations throughout the site area Attended a Command Center meeting to discuss debris removal/concerns. Richard Mendelson named as OSHA POC Debris removal committee to meet once weekly. Operating Engineers provided sample results for heavy equipment operators working on the debris pile. RA Clark, ARA Gillen, & AD Mendelson met with the Project Director of the IUOE National Hazmat Program on site to coordinate cooperation for sampling of IUOE members on site. Press and Public Relations: OSHA press release drafted; enroute to Bonnie Friedman. Notified of Secretary Chao's impending visit to the regional headquarters on Wednesday, 26 Sep. Prepared to support OPA during her visit. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: Took six samples for silica; five for lead; nine for heavy metals. All sample results to date are within acceptable limits. Continued focus will be on personal air monitoring for workers on the debris pile. In addition to asbestos, we will continue to test for heavy metals and silica. In follow up to yesterdays report, contacted FBI regarding allegation that no one was conducting personal air monitoring for workers at Fresh Kills. Informed that USPHS is monitoring workers there. Personnel Resource Coordination: OSHA personnel continue conducting safety monitoring & respirator fit checks around the clock and air monitoring 2 shifts a day. Awaiting arrival of OSHA personnel from Regions 1, 3 and 4 on Monday, 24 Sep. Equipment Coordination: Six radio telephones provided by OEM to the OSHA representative at the Command Center. Verizon Wireless has offered modems so that we can use our own laptops to communicate at the Command Center. Distributed 20.000 towelettes to FEMA/NYTF1 (donated from the Social Security Administration). Continue to receive donations from throughout the country; distributing accordingly. Safety Team Monitors: We continue to conduct safety monitoring visits. Respirator Fit Testing: l Twenty four OSHA personnel conducting fit-testing daily. Approximately 2600 respirators distributed daily 2 Miller,Amy -OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc Subject: Clark Patricia K New York Sunday, September 23, 2001 9:31 AM Henshaw John Layne Raymond (Davis) RE: WTC Update 11 (9/22/01) I w- i John \ ^ ? j i, we're just using his computer to send things. No woritfSn a hazardous waste site designation (the Mayor is very mucR against this, as you can imagine). We made a very productive contact with the Operating Engineers. Their site rep is the head of the IUOE National Hazmat Project (the group their President offered as support to the Sec -1 also left a voice mail message for the President saying what we're doing, mentioning our on-site contact with his rep & offering to speak further with him on Monday). The on-site rep is an IH by background & is very interested in what we've been doing & finding (we provided a full set of sampling info to him). He has done some limited sampling on his heavy equipment operators working the pile, but hasn't rec'd any results yet & is somewhat limited re equipment & staff. We are sending some of our IHs who are doing sampling to hook up with him this morning so he can facilitate getting our pumps on his operators. The rep also indicated he was apalled with the safety issues (as are we) & agreed to come to the S & H Mtg we have arranged for Tuesday morning (when Bechtel takes over site S & H) with all the Agency players, contractors, & whomever else is interested in WORKER safety & health (I stress worker for this mtg as some of the other mtgs led by the City, etc tend to stress community issues). He also ag reed to try to find out if any of the other unions have on-site S & H reps & get them to the mtg. We are also pursuing this thru our LL & her contacts with Eddie Malloy (Pres of the NYC Bldg Trades - he is to call me on Monday) & the list of International reps for the unions working the WTC site which Peg Seminario has provided. Are you available any time today to talk about next steps? We've drafted a proposal for transition & would like to speak with you (preferably this afternoon, as I think I've finally convinced Mendelson to take the morning off - this will be his first hours away after 12 days!). We feel that with Bechtel taking over site S & H on Tuesday, knowing where we are going is very important We can also update you on our sampling stratgey & what it is revealing. We have been brief re this in our Update reports as we know they are for a more diverse audience. I do think we are getting a good At this point, I am more concerned about some of the safety hazards (we have been receiving info the DOH is collecting re injuries - thus far except for several concussions & some fractures, the rest are not life threatening; ) as they are potentially quite serious, especially in the pile area (although serious "struck by" hazards abound in the areas outside of the pile) This also creates an additional hazard for our folks as they are now in the pile area. We are addressing this in our briefings of staff, through "buddy assignments", working with DDC, & Bechtel. Getting a handle on this is now our biggest challenge So. bottom line, I would like to give you an update via conference call, whenever it is convenient for you. I've generally been in the RO during the day & then going to the site in the evening, but you can reach me via the cell phone at any time. Pat --Original Message-- From: Henshaw John Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2001 12:39 AM To: Fmdlay Cameron; Layne Raymond (Davis); Zoldan Efraim Cc: Clark Patricia K New York; Adams Nancy-OSHA; Friedman Bonnie-OSHA; Fleming Susan-OSHA; Kulick Robert-OSHA; Chao Elaine Subject: RE: WTC Update 11 (9/22/01) Efraim Great report - thanks. Any word from EPA as to when and how they intend to make a decision on whether to declare this a hazardous / non-hazardous site? I believe we should keep close taps on this issue at a high level. I will call the EPA/RA on Monday. I am sure the White House and the City will be watching this very closely. Give my personal thanks to everyone for their dedication and hard work. We are all very proud of the work you are doing. John From: Zoldan Efraim Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001 5:30 PM To: Findlay Cameron; Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) l w^. W I O I i\ i a n i u i a i \ IYCVV I W I I \ , n u a i M O I oVCJI l u y w ^ i i/~vf t I I C L I I I I C I H U U I U t i & ' v ^ u i i/~\, i i c i i i n i y " j u o o i r u o i i r \ , i \ u n u r \ Robert-OSHA Subject: WTC Update 11 (9/22/01) External Coordination Met with the FBI safety and health manager and their Hazardous Material Response Unit. Will continue sharing our sampling data, also will coordinate PPE and other safety and health issues, e.g., bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials and airborne contaminants. Made contact with the U.S. Secret Service and offered technical support and assistance on safety and health issues. Also coordinated respirator fit checking for their personnel at PS-89. Provided suggestions to the U.S. Coast Guard for modifications to improve operations of six functioning wash stations throughout the site area. Attended a Command Center meeting to discuss debris removal/concerns. Richard Mendelson named as OSHA POC. Debris removal committee to meet once weekly. Operating Engineers provided sample results for heavy equipment operators working on the debris pile. RA Clark, ARA Gillen, & AD Mendelson met with the Project Director of the IUOE National Hazmat Program on site to coordinate cooperation for sampling of IUOE members on site. Press and Public Relations: OSHA press release drafted; enroute to Bonnie Friedman. Notified of Secretary Chao's impending visit to the regional headquarters on Wednesday, 26 Sep. Prepared to support OPA during her visit. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: Took six samples for silica; five for lead; nine for heavy metals. All sample results to date are within acceptable limits. Continued focus will be on personal air monitoring for workers on the debris pile. In addition to asbestos, we will continue to test for heavy metals and silica. In follow up to yesterdays report, contacted FBI regarding allegation that no one was conducting personal air monitoring for workers at Fresh Kills. Informed that USPHS is monitoring workers there. Personnel Resource Coordination: OSHA personnel continue conducting safety monitoring & respirator fit checks around the clock and air monitoring 2 shifts a day. Awaiting arrival of OSHA personnel from Regions 1, 3 and 4 on Monday, 24 Sep. Equipment Coordination: Six radio telephones provided by OEM to the OSHA representative at the Command Center. Verizon Wireless has offered modems so that we can use our own laptops to communicate at the Command Center. Distributed 20,000 towelettes to FEMA/NYTF1 (donated from the Social Security Administration). Continue to receive donations from throughout the country; distributing accordingly. Safety Team Monitors: We continue to conduct safety monitoring visits. Respirator Fit Testing: Twenty four OSHA personnel conducting fit-testing daily. Approximately 2600 respirators distributed daily. . From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Clark Patricia K New York Sunday, September 23, 2001 6:46 PM Findlay Cameron; Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Zoldan Efraim; Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Kulick Robert-OSHA FW: WTC Update 12 (9/23/01) External Coordination We met with Stu Burkhammer from Bechtel today to coordinate safety and health issues onsite. Bechtel will assume Environmental Safety and Health (EHS) responsibility possibly Wednesday, 9/26/01 or Thursday, 9/27/01 We agreed to merge our safety monitors with his teams as well as NYC Dept. of Design and Construction, (DDC) staff to conduct safety interventions in four designated quadrants surrounding the site. OSHA will provide a staff member to Bechtel to assist them in writing the Site Safety and Health Plan which will expedite the release of the document. OSHA's first safety and health meeting will be coordinated with Bechtel's Site Safety and Health Plan meeting on Tuesday, 9/25/01 RA Clark made a very productive contact with the Operating Engineers. Their site rep is the head of the IUOE National Hazmat Project. The onsite rep is very interested in what we are doing. We shared our sampling results to date with him. He coordinated with our IH's this morning to sample heavy equipment operators. He was very concerned about the safety hazards onsite and agreed to attend OSHA's safety and health meeting. EPA and U S. Coast Guard shared their proposed Site Safety Plan for Fresh Kills Landfill with OSHA staff and requested comments. Avenel AD and Avenel AAD plan to visit Fresh Kills, Staten Island site tomorrow to evaluate worker safety and health issues. AD Manhattan was named POC for all debris removal issues. AD Manhattan met with EPA and Turner Construction reps to discuss coordination efforts. Command Post staff met with the Disaster Safety Officer representing FEMA and invited him to OSHA's safety and health meeting on Tuesday. Per FEMA's request, OSHA staff will provide assistance to FEMA concerning the safety and health of their employees onsite and at the FEMA command post. We are concerned about visitors at the site who are not wearing PPE and are getting exposed to serious safety hazards Our rep at the command post will raise this issue at tonight's meeting. Press and Public Relations: OSHA press release drafted; enroute to Bonnie Friedman. Notified of Secretary Chao's impending visit to the regional headquarters on Wednesday, 26 Sep. Prepared to support OPA during her visit. Revised talking points being drafted. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: OSHA staff had a meeting with a NIOSH rep today to discuss personal sampling strategies. It was agreed that OSHA will continue to focus on asbestos, silica and heavy metals. NIOSH will focus on by products of combustion from the fires such as CO, PAH etc.. NIOSH expects sampling results tomorrow by noon which will be shared with OSHA. Twenty samples were taken today, 16 personal and 4 area. Six of the personal samples were taken on heavy machinery operators. All sample results for asbestos to date are within acceptable limits. Other analysis are pending Entry points to the debris pile continue to be evaluated via area samples for asbestos, lead and heavy metals. l The discussion concerning the mandatory use of acid gas cartridges continues. However, a final determination will be made by OSHA and NIOSH shortly pending the receipt of NIOSH's sampling analysis which is expected by late afternoon tomorrow Personnel Resource Coordination: OSHA personnel continue conducting safety monitoring & respirator fit checks around the clock and air monitoring 2 shifts a day. Awaiting arrival of OSHA personnel from Regions 1, 3 and 4 on Monday, 24 Sep Formal orientation for all staff will commence at 12:00noon and deployment to the field will commence at 3:00pm. Equipment Coordination: Continue to receive donations from throughout the country; distributing accordingly. Safety Team Monitors: We continue to conduct safety monitoring visits. OSHA staff will merge with Bechtel teams sometime mid week. Respirator Fit Testing: A mobile fit checking unit was established today utilizing a gator vehicle. A rep from 3M was onsite today to coordinate supply management/distribution. Per request of NYCity Dept. of Sanitation, OSHA staff conducted train-the-trainer session and provided 100 respirators with cartridges for sanitation workers dumping debris. A representative for the American Red Cross was contacted and it was arranged that ail staff assisting on the debris pile will be sent to the PS 89 unit for respirator fit checking. General Information: Three fires continue to burn in the debris pile. The Army Corp of Engineers is currently estimating the amount of debris on the ground and identifying those additional buildings that need to be demolished. According to Port Authority, there is 250,000 tons of steel currently on the ground and another 1/2 million tons of other debris based upon the original makeup of the two towers and building 7. The Port Authority stated they have been able to access the building's chiller units and found that all tanks, chillers and safety valves are intact and there appears to be no leakage. The removal of the freon will be made a priority as soon as it is deemed safe'to do so. A radiological profile was completed with results expected on Monday, 9/24/01. 2 From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Clark Patricia K New York Monday, September 24, 2001 5:46 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Zoldan Efraim; Kulick Robert-OSHA, Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Burke William (Bill) FW: WTC Update 13 (9/24/01) External Coordination Special Agent in Charge for OIG was contacted to offer assistance concerning PPE and logistics if the Secretary decides to visit the WTC site. New York State Department of Health praised OSHA's diligent efforts in providing respirators, cartridges and staffing for respirator fit checking. Today OEM defined the immediate perimeter of the WTC complex as the "keystone" area. Personnel (other than police and fire during rescue activities) not having minimum PPE will not be allowed access. It was agreed to establish six entry/exit points to the overall site including the "keystone" area. The OEM requested information concerning resource expenditures for all agencies. We provided data concerning costs associated with travel, airfare, supplies, equipment, overtime and other services. Avenel AD made contact with the FBI and arranged to attend tomorrow's 8:30am safety and health meeting at Fresh Kills, Staten Island A tour of the site will be conducted to offer assistance if needed and to evaluate worker safety and health issues. Command Post staff met with the Chief of the Army Corp. of Engineer's Safety and Occupational Health Office. Press and Public Relations: Briefing book bullets were provided to the National Office in preparation for the Secretary's visit on Wednesday, 9/26/01 Mike Mabee, 11(C) investigator for Region 2 was interviewed by Donna Miles for OSHA's JSHQ. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: NIOSH provided us with their sampling results to date. They collected bulk and air samples in areas immediately adjacent to the debris pile and on personnel actively involved in rescue efforts in the vicinity of the debris pile to characterize potential exposures All results for asbestos, total dust and heavy metals were found to be within acceptable limits A single peak of 79 ppm of Carbon Monoxide was observed on a city transit worker. Forty seven samples were taken today, 25 personal and 22 area for lead, silica and asbestos. Tomorrow we will be coordinating with the Laborers International to conduct task specific samples with their members. We are in the process of developing a sampling protocol for CO, Benzene, Mercury, PCB monitoring. Starting tomorrow, all samples will be analyzed by OSHA's Salt Lake City lab. Personnel Resource Coordination: A formal orientation session was held for all arriving staff from Regions 1, 3, and 4. Fifteen were then deployed for the 3.00pm shift Equipment Coordination: Continue to receive donations from throughout the country, distributing accordingly l Safety Team Monitors: We continue to conduct safety monitoring visits. OSHA staff will merge with Bechtel teams sometime mid week Respirator Fit Testing: Respirators continue to be distributed at the following locations, PS89, Albany and West Streets and a mobile station continues. Manhattan Area Office: All Manhattan staff are back to work with the majority involved in the WTC emergency response. 2 Milter, Amy - OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Clark Patricia K New York Tuesday, September 25, 2001 6:06 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Zoldan Efraim; Fairfax, Richard - OSHA; Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Burke William (Bill); Kulick Robert-OSHA; Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA, Fleming, Susan - OSHA Subject: FW: WTC Update 14 (9/25/01) External Coordination The Secretary will be visiting the Regional Office tomorrow and is scheduled to visit the WTC site. RA Clark, AD Mendelson et. al. will be escorting the Secretary to the site, ensuring she is provided/wearing with the appropriate PPE and describing work being conducted at the site . Bechtel will be taking over EH&S responsibilities for the contractors as of 7:00am Thursday, 9/26/01. They have been issued a 90 day contract. They will be holding toolbox safety talks with all contractors. OSHA will participate. The target date for implementing the Site Health & Safety Plan is October 1st. AD Marlton and AAD Parsippany will be attending a session Thursday with Bechtel staff to assist in developing/finalizing the Site Health and Safety Plan. OSHA, NIOSH. EPA, Bechtel and the NYC DOH are continuing meetings to finalize the PPE plan. NIOSH and OSHA have agreed that acid gas/organic vapor/P100 (HEPA) filters will be required within 25 feet of the debris pile. NIOSH and OSHA are also in agreement that outside of the "keystone" area, respiratory protection becomes optional as no air sampling results reveal the need for respirators for general site work. All involved agree that this is a fluid document which will be revised as conditions warrant. Avenel AD visited the Fresh Kills (evidence sorting) site today. Toured the site with FBI safety and health rep. Avenel AD committed to provide support concerning respirator fit checking, personal air sampling and site safety visits. The site staff is composed of 80% NYPD and the rest NYFD, FBI, Secret Service, Army National Guard, CIA, EPA, NTSB, and Coast Guard. OSHA will assist Public Health Service in conducting personal air monitoring A discussion ensued with EPA concerning application of OSHA standards. It was agreed that 1926 Construction standards would be applied to work ongoing in the debris pile as well as construction tasks outside of the debris pile. 1910 General Industry standards would apply to clean up work/maintenance inside of buildings surrounding the debris pile. To date, EPA has not declared the site a Hazardous Waste Site. We continue to make contact with the various Building Trades S&H reps to coordinate/facilitate personal sampling of their members. Press and Public Relations: h\/C Film crew from CBS "48 Hours" visited the Marina in Queens, NY to join up with the firefighters enroute to the WTC complex. Crew filmed two OSHA personnel\ / .'both industrial hygienists from the Long Island Area Office) conducting respirator fit checking. OSHA also provided and fit checked respirators for correspondent Harold Dow and his crew. Program scheduled to air on Friday, 28 Sep at 10:00pm eastern. UH from Region 2 FSO, interviewed by Donna Miles for OSHA's Job Safety and Health Quarterly. OSHA staff at the command center dismissed a rumor reported by the National Guard that OSHA is telling National Guard staff working within 50 feet of the debris pile that respirators should only be worn when the direction of the smoke plume is coming their way. (see item 3 from External Coordination 3/24/2005 above) Risk Assessment/Monitoring: NIOSH and NY State DEC reported receiving elevated levels of CO for torch cutters on the debris pile NIOSH and Public Health Service are considering taking COHb levels for employees having high CO levels OSHA will initiate CO monitoring with detector tubes and data loggers NY State DEC and EPA reported high benzene levels at the rubble pile. NIOSH and OSHA will be testing for benzene upon receipt of the proper sampling media; NIOSH will begin sampling for acid gases on Wednesday, 9/25/01. DMAT locations are treating workers for shortness of breath and other symptoms which NIOSH feels may be consistent with acid gas exposures. NIOSH is considering recommending respirator usage based on reported symptoms. We disagree and are currently dialoguing with NIOSH about this issue. Due to reports of hydrogen sulfide exposures in underground vaults, we will begin monitoring utilizing data loggers. Eighteen samples were taken today, 11 personal and 7 area for heavy metals, silica and asbestos. Today's sampling focused on heavy metals and silica as opposed to asbestos. Six Ironworkers, 3 Laborers, a truck loading operator and a grapper operator were sampled. A lunch area was also sampled for heavy metals. Personnel Resource Coordination; Region 1, 3 and 4 staff continue to supplement Region 2 staff with around-the-clock operations. Equip men t Cooidina t i_oji; Continue to receive donations from throughout the country; distributing accordingly. SafetyTeam Monitors: We continue to conduct safety monitoring visits. OSHA staff will merge with Bechtel teams sometime mid week. NYCiry Dept. of Design and Construction staff are gradually being phased out of this operation. OSHA will continue the tours with Bechtel staff. Resjairator Fit Testing: Respirators continue to be distributed at the following locations, PS89, Albany and West Streets. A mobile station continues. Respirator fit checking is also being conducted at Staten Island Fresh Kills and Queens Shea Stadium Marina. Approximately 1,000 respirators/day are being distributed at both locations General. Information: A plan to drain the intact freon tanks will be delivered tomorrow. Potential hazards of concern are the release of hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid. An attempt will be made today to take down the remaining aluminum facing of tower #2 which is prominently standing in the debris pile. Miller, Amy-OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Clark Patricia K New York Wednesday, September 26, 2001 6:08 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Zoldan Efraim; Gillen Gil; Mendelson Richard; Kulick Robert-OSHA Subject: WTC Update 15 (9/26/01) External Coordination Secretary Chao toured the WTC site this morning with RA Clark , AD Mendelson , AAD Gee, & Construction Coordinator Magee. She expressed high praise and admiration for the quality and quantity of OSHA work being conducted. Upon addressing the other DOL agencies in the building she made it clear that no one should go to the site without first seeking OSHA's assistance and approval. The Operating Engineers were able to provide personal assistance to the Secretary. They assisted in transporting her security detail to the site and arranged for a crane operator to come off the site and speak with the Secretary. Bechtel's EH&S plan will require each contractor to conduct daily IH sampling in their respective work area(s). It will also include an emergency evacuation plan, accident prevention plan and many other sub elements. AD Marlton and AAD Parsippany will be attending a session tomorrow with Bechtel staff to assist in developing/finalizing the Site Health and Safety Plan. The FDNY has an incident Commander assigned each day to walk the worksite to enforce respirator/ppe usage. Although the number of firefighters wearing respirators continues to increase, many are still not complying with the site plan. A memo is being sent to the Ironworkers to explain our concerns about worker exposures and to request their cooperation in conducting personal monitoring of their members. A sampling device is being forwarded with the memo so they can become familiar with the apparatus and its purpose. John Moran, Safety and Health Consultant, assured OSHA staff that members of the firefighters union, ironworkers, carpenters, laborers and operating engineers would be attending tomorrow's 8:00am site safety meeting. Press and Public Relations: E-mailed 24 digital photos to the National Office of Secretary Chao's visit. Responded to inquiry from Bill Noone, Industrial Safety and Hygiene News, with copy of press release about OSHA's involvement at the WTC complex. Working inquiry from Liz Uhlin, Columbia University School of Journalism, about blood borne pathogen issues at the site. Scheduled interview for RA Clark with Klaus Marre, Inside OSHA, on 9/27/01. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: NIOSH will be using a new breathalyzer-like tester that can measure CO in exhaled air and extrapolate COHb levels without having to subject the person to a needle stick. It is reported that NIOSH will be leaving the site on Friday, 9/28/01. EPA established an ambient air website to collect data from various agencies collecting data. It will be used to issue daiiy EPA press releases on worker air quality, public air quality and water quality. OSHA staff are working on developing an equivalent site on OSHA's web. Fifteen samples were taken today, 12 personal and 3 area for heavy metals, silica , carbon monoxide and asbestos. Nine ironworkers, two grapper operators and one laborer were sampled Personnel Resource Coordination: Region 1, 3 and 4 staff continue to supplement Region 2 staff with around-the-clock operations. E q u ipment. Coordj nation: Continue to receive donations from throughout the country; distributing accordingly. Safety Team Monitors: We continue to conduct safety monitoring visits. OSHA staff will merge with Bechtel teams later this week. Eye injuries (483) account for the highest percentage (14%) of the total injuries for all types of workers to date. Eye injuries are followed by headaches (8%), Blisters (8%), Lung Injury (7%) and Sprain/strains (7%). Construction workers account for 25% of all the injuries. Of the 851 reported injuries for construction workers, the most serious types reported are; Eye injuries (95), Sprain/Strain (72), Lung Injury (36), Contusion (6), Fracture (5) and Crush (3) Respirator Fit Testing: Today OSHA staff met with Kelly McKinney from NYC-DOH to discuss logistical arrangements of setting up a more sophisticated respiratory protection program including medical surveillance of workers, quantitative/qualitative fit testing of workers and training of workers. The initial focus will be for ironworkers, laborers and operating engineers who are at the highest risk of exposure. General Information: The contractor responsible for draining the R-22 Freon refrigerant will be responsible for developing a health and safety plan specific to this task. A portion of the remaining aluminum facing of tower #2 was taken down Miller, Amy -OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Clark Patricia K New York Thursday, September 27, 2001 6:18 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis) Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Zoldan Efraim; Kulick Robert-OSHA Subject: FW: WTC Update 16 (9/27/01) External Coordination Inspector General for the Department of Labor, Gordon S. Heddell and his assistant, Nancy RuizDeGamboa are scheduled to visit the WTC site on Monday, 10/01/01. We will provide appropriate PPE and escort them during the visit. During the Secretary's visit to our building Secretary's Counsel Andrew Siff inquired whether OSHA monitored air quality of 201 Varick St. Since all OSHA staff who could answer this question were at the site & not in the mtg, the question was referred to us later by RSOL Rodenhausen. Could you forward on this info to Counsel Siff? OSHA monitored at the entrance to the regional office building. Additionally, GSA sampled at the entrance to the building & in the lobby area . All OSHA results were well within acceptable limits. All OSHA results to date (in the financial district & in and around the debris pile ) are within acceptable limits . OSHA staff met with representatives of the Operating Engineers, Laborers and Contractors at 8:00am Safety meeting. Outreach sheet describing personal monitoring was explained and distributed. Meeting was held with Eddy Walsh, President of Ironworkers local. Sampling device was brought to the meeting and process explained to Mr. Walsh. He will address a few hundred members at a meeting tonight and will explain importance of cooperating with OSHA concerning personal monitoring. Command Post staff raised issue of providing and ensuring use of PPE by VIPs when touring site. Press and Public Relations: RA. Pat Clark interviewed by Klaus Marre, Inside OSHA, on OSHA's efforts at the WTC complex. (Anticipate a positive story) Provided Liz Uhlin, writing for Columbia University School of Journalism, information on required PPE at the site Also referred her to ML Sinai School of Occupational Medicine regarding occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Drafting plans for a link on OSHA's website to display sampling data/daily summaries of activities. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: NIOSH's personal asbestos samples in the debris pile were well below standards using TEM analysis. Concentrations for VOCs taken with charcoal tubes were below detectable levels. Area metal results were okay as well. CO breathalyzer tests were taken on three lower risk workers for CO overexposure and all results were acceptable. NIOSH will continue testing other workers for CO in the debris pile. Thirty four samples were taken today, 27 personal and 7 area for heavy metals, silica , carbon monoxide and asbestos. One mass spec area sample was taken between WTC Buildings 5 and 6 at the edge of the pit. Many trades and tasks were sampled today including ironworkers, dock builders, operating engineers, laborers, welders and cutters, burners, grapper operators, bobcat operators, and extractors. 3/24./2005 CO results to date average 1-2 PPM TWA Asbestos results continue to be within acceptable limits Participated in 3PM Air Sampling Conference Call (NRT). Personnel Resource Coordination: Full coverage by Region II staff has been established for the weekend shfits between waves of staff from other regions. Coverage for next week is also complete, with 49 coming. Equipment Coordination: Nothing to report. Safety Team Monitors: Nothing to report. Respirator Fit_Testi.ncj_: Command Post Coordinator, Phil Peist was approached by -90 Navy Military Police officers. They requested assistance in getting respirators. They were referred to OSHA's fit checking station at PS 89 and were fit checked. They were quite appreciative and expressed satisfaction with our service. OSHA will provide DOH with a proposal tomorrow that describes recommended logistics for implementing a formal fit testing and medical surveillance program at the site. We are also meeting with the National Guard regarding the supplying of our stations. General Information: Fire Department noted that there are two 10,000 gallon diesel fuel tanks located close to the burning fires. It is estimated that 1350 construction workers are active on the site. Four prime contractors are; AMEC, Bovis, Tully and Turner. 3/24/2005 o Miller, Amy - OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Clark Patricia K New York Friday, September 28, 2001 6:54 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis); Findlay Cameron Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Zoldan Efraim; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Fairfax, Richard OSHA Subject: FW: WTC Update 17 (9/28/01) External Coordination: OSHA staff continue to meet with Bechtel reps to develop Site ES&H plan. Command Post staff were able to get OSHA listed as an "exempted" agency which should make it easier for OSHA staff to access the site. (only agency credentials needed) RA and AD Manhattan met with DDC Asst. Commissioner and Bechtel reps to discuss site S&H coordination and future course of action. Press and Pu_bljc_ Relations; RA Clark interviewed by NY Daily News health reporter Susan Ferraro on OSHA's sampling/monitoring program. Reporter's focus on asbestos. Revised talking points; included in orientation packets for incoming personnel. Risk Assessment/Jylpnitorirj,g: NIOSH sampled for acid gases and CO yesterday. Bechtel will get contractor to conduct air monitoring following OSHA/NIOSH recommendation. Twenty six samples were taken today, 16 personal and 10 area for heavy metals, silica , carbon monoxide , asbestos , formaldehyde, acrylonitrile and acrolein . Sampling was also conducted using a Miran 1B. Sample results to follow. Participated in 3PM Air Sampling Conference Call (NRT). Personnel Resource Coordination: Orientation conference call was held for all Region II staff working this weekend. Orientation session will be conducted on Monday, 10/01 for 49 OSHA staff from Regions IV(6), V(24), VI(12)andX(7). Equipment Coordination; Additional radio telephones received to be used for coordination between all onsite teams. Safety Team Monitors: Safety hazards discussed at this morning's safety and health meeting were improper hoisting of workers by cranes, improper gas cylinder storage and PPE issues. r V . W 1 <<-- 1_}-'UCHC u \y /.-t U l j _ <_?._. _ __ f i l l e r , Amy "OSHA From: Sent: To: Cc: Clark Patricia K New York Friday, September 28, 2001 6:54 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis); Findlay Cameron Friedman, Bonnie - OSHA; Zoldan Efraim; Fleming, Susan - OSHA; Adams, Nancy - OSHA; Fairfax, Richard OSHA S u b j e c t : FW WTC Update 17 (9/28/01) External Coordination.; OSHA staff continue to meet with Bechtel reps to develop Site ES&H plan. Command Post staff were able to get OSHA listed as an "exempted" agency which should make it easier for OSHA staff to access the site. (only agency credentials needed) RA and AD Manhattan met with DDC Asst. Commissioner and Bechtel reps to discuss site S&H coordination and future course of action. Pre.ss_.9_nd Pubijc_Relations_: RA Clark interviewed by NY Daily News health reporter Susan Ferraro on OSHA's sampling/monitoring program. Reporter's focus on asbestos. Revised talking points; included in orientation packets for incoming personnel. Risk Assessment/Monitoring: NIOSH sampled for acid gases and CO yesterday. Bechtel will get contractor to conduct air monitoring following OSHA/NIOSH recommendation. Twenty six samples were taken today, 16 personal and 10 area for heavy metals, silica , carbon monoxide , asbestos , formaldehyde, acrylonitrile and acrolein . Sampling was also conducted using a Miran 1B. Sample results to follow. Participated in 3PM Air Sampling Conference Call (NRT). Personnel Resource Coordination: Orientation conference call was held for all Region II staff working this weekend. Orientation session will be conducted on Monday, 10/01 for 49 OSHA staff from Regions IV(6), V(24), VI(12)andX(7). Equipment Coordination; Additional radio telephones received to be used for coordination between all onsite teams. Safety Te_am_Mon| tors; Safety hazards discussed at this morning's safety and health meeting were improper hoisting of workers by cranes, improper gas cylinder storage and PPE issues. FW: WTC Update 13 (V'Z4...ij Respirator Fit Testing; Two fixed fit check stations are being fully coordinated by OSHA; PS 89 and Albany and West Streets. We are continuing the mobile fit check station utilizing a gator vehicle which visits each entry point. When available, a second gator is used as a mobile station. Additionally, we are coordinating stations at Queens and Staten Island Landfill. General Information: The City is now taking families of the victims onto the site. OSHA staff have been informed to provide assistance in a respectful manner when requested. 2001 - 09/14/2001 - EPA, OSHA, Update Asbestos Data. Continue to reassure public of contamination f... Page 1 of 2 U.S. D e p a r t m e n t of Labor Occupational S a f e t y & Health Administration J WWW.OSh3.gOV > MyOSHA _ Search ^ Advanced Search | A-Z Inde> OSHA N e w s R e l e a s e 2001 - 09/14/2001 - EPA, OSHA, Update Asbestos Data. Continue to reassure public of contamination fears ^ OSHA News Release - Table of Contents OSHA National News Release U.S. Department of Labor OSHA, Office of Communications National News Release September 14, 2001 Contacts: Sue Hensley, (OSHA), (202) 693-6023 Bonnie Friedman, (OSHA), (202) 693-1890 Bonnie Piper, (EPA), (202) 564-7836 Bonnie Bellow, (EPA), (732) 321-6656 OSHA, EPA, Update Asbestos Data. Continue to reassure public of contamination fears The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that the majority of air and dust samples monitored in New York's financial district do not indicate levels of concern for asbestos. The new samples confirm previous reports that ambient air quality meets OSHA standards and consequently is not a case for public concern. New OSHA data also indicates that indoor air quality in downtown buildings will meet standards. EPA has found variable asbestos levels in bulk debris and dust on the ground, but EPA continues to believe that there is no significant health risk to the general public in the coming days. Appropriate steps are being taken to clean up this dust and debris. "Our tests show that it is safe for New Yorkers to go back to work in New York's Financial District" said John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA. "Keeping the streets :lean and being careful not to track dust into buildings will help protect workers from "emaining debris." 3SHA staff walked through New York's Financial District on September 13th wearing personal air monitors and collected data on potential asbestos exposure levels. All but two samples contained no asbestos. Two samples contained very low levels of unknown fiber, vhich is still being analyzed. Vir samples taken on September 13th inside buildings in New York's financial district were legative for asbestos. Debris samples collected outside buildings on cars and other surfaces 2001 - 09/14/2001 - EPA, OSHA, Update Asbestos Data. Continue to reassure public ot contamination l... rage z 01 / contained small percentages of asbestos, ranging from 2.1 to 3.3 - slightly above the 1 per cent trigger for defining asbestos material. "EPA will be deploying sixteen vacuum trucks this weekend in an effort to remove as much of the dust and debris as possible from the site where the samples were obtained" said EPA Administrator, Christine Whitman. "In addition, we will be moving six continuous air monitoring stations into the area. We will put five near ground zero and one on Canal Street. The good news continues to be that the air samples have all been at levels that cause us no concern. ### Additional Contact I n f o r m a t i o n As businesses reopen in New York City, there may be concerns about workplace safety and health. Employers and employees are encouraged to contact city, state, and federal agencies if they have questions. Three professional organizations are also offering voluntary assistance related to the disaster. For more information, call: American Industrial Hygiene Association, ( 7 0 3 ) 8 4 9 - 8 8 8 8 American Society of Safety Engineers, [ w w w . a s s e . o r g ] ( 8 4 7 ) 6 9 9 - 2 9 2 9 National Safety Council, ( 8 0 0 ) 6 7 2 - 4 6 9 2 U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. ^f OSHA News Release - Table of Contents 'A"'i Back to Top www.osha.gov Contact Us j Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers www.dol.gov Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 2001 - 09/25/2001 - OSHA Providing Safety and Health Aid To New York Rescue woncers ! s U.S. Department ot Laoor I Occupationai Safety & Health Administration rage i u i z Wi o' www.osha.gov j M->>OSHA s<> ^ > - >> T / << 1 / ^ / / ^ r . V . ^ . 1 , r << l - . /^i-< mAir*-* ~ U ~ . , . J ~ ,, . . * O-- 4 ,, 1_ 1 \ m n n "T. T - " T T^ A r~\T-r\ n 2001 - 09/25/2UU1 - UbliA Froviding baiety ana rieaitn Aia to jNew zone Kescue w outers federal, st.ite and local agencies involved in the rescue effort. Agency staff from other parts of the country are also being sent to New York to help support the effort, including fitchecking and distributing respirators and working with the New York Department of Design and Construction to monitor conditions associated with the use of heavy equipment as well as cutting and bunting operations. Among those working are the 23 members of OSHA's Manhattan Area Office who escaped when Building 6 of the World Trade Center, where they were located, was severely damaged. As part of the overall rescue operation, OSHA also provided technical assistance and advice to officials of the Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fireanns. ### rage z o u U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The infonnation in this release will be made available in alternative fonnat upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. ^- OSHA News Release - Table of Contents ;, Back to Top www.osha.gov Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers www.dol.g Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 l t t r W / w i v u / n c h a rrnv/nlc/r>clTO<<>>>l->/rm/o/-Jic>r>> r K m u ^/^,--i,T-n> i n w r t A f 20O1 - 09/14/2001 - OSHA Pitching In To Assist With Worker Safety Measures, Asbestos Tests Depart... Page 1 of 2 U>>SC Department of Labor Occupational S a f e t y & H e a l t h A d m i n i s t r a t i o n F WWW.QShS.gOV j MyOSKA . . Search iPQ! Advanced Search | A-Z Index OSHA N e w s Release 2001 - 0 9 / 1 4 / 2 0 0 1 - OSHA Pitching I n To Assist With Worker Safety Measures, Asbestos Tests Department Will Also Begin To Process Workers Compensation Claims 4% OSHA News Release - Table of Contents OSHA National Mews Release U.S. Department of Labor OSHA, Office of Communications National News Release USDL 01-307 September 14, 2001 Contact: Sue Hensley Phone: 202-693-4676 OSHA Pitching In To Assist With Worker Safety Measures, Asbestos Tests Department Will Also Begin To Process Workers Compensation Claims WASHINGTON - U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced today that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is providing advice and technical assistance to employers and federal agencies to help protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances in the New York City and Pentagon disaster sites. In New York, OSHA is testing asbestos levels in buildings within a several block radius surrounding the perimeter of the World Trade Center emergency site. "OSHA is working with other federal agencies to help employees return to their jobsites as quickly as possible. Initial reports on asbestos levels in outlying buildings are extremely encouraging. OSHA's goal is to ensure that people who enter buildings near or downwind from the emergency area are protected and provided with all of the safety information possible," said Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. OSHA inspectors are working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to test asbestos levels in New York City. EPA sampling of ambient air quality have found either no asbestos or very low levels of asbestos. Sampling of bulk materials and dust found generally low levels of asbestos. OSHA has also been advising Consolidated Edison regarding safety standards for employees who are digging trenches because of leaking gas lines underground. The agency is advising the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regarding worker protection during rescue operations. At the Pentagon, OSHA is assisting with concerns about asbestos exposure and structural damage during rescue operations. 20O1 - 09/14/2001 - OSHA Pitching In To Assist With Worker Safety Measures, Asoestos 1 esis mpan... in addition to OSHA's role, Chao also highlighted the role of the Department of Labor's Office of Workers Compensation Claims (OWCP), which has established teams to expedite processing of workers' compensation claims for eligible federal staff and emergency personnel. The Federal Employees' Compensation Act covers all civilian federal employees who sustain injuries while on duty assisting recovery efforts in the Pentagon and World Trade Center attacks and subsequent rescue operations. Surviving spouses and dependent children are also entitled to benefits. The Department of Defense has set up a crisis center in Crystal City to assist Pentagon personnel and their relatives, and the Department of Labor has OWCP staff and computer equipment on site to process claims immediately. Federal civilian employees are also encouraged to call 1-866-999-FECA for assistance on compensation claims. "As President Bush stated, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack this week," said Labor Secretary Chao. "In the midst of this tragedy, we have resolved to do the work of the people. Checks should go out; claims should be processed; and work sites should be inspected. The only way these attacks will succeed is if they prevent our government from serving the American people. This will not happen. Our resolve to do our duty and serve the country we love will not be deterred or diminished by terrorist acts." ### rage / u i z US. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 orTTY 202-693-7755. & OSHA News Release - Table of Contents ['&) Back to Top www.osha.gov Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers www.dol.gov Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & H e a l t h A d m i n i s t r a t i o n W WW.OSha.gOV OSHA N e w s Release , MyOSHA ... Search ? 0 , Advanced Search \ A-Z Index 2 0 0 1 - 1 0 / 0 3 / 2 0 0 1 - EPA AND OSHA WEB SITES PROVIDE EMVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DATA FROM WORLD TRADE CENTER AND SURROUNDING AREAS 0 OSHA News Release - Table of Contents OSHA National News Release U.S. D e p a r t m e n t of L a b o r OSHA, Office of Communications National News Release USDL: 01-339 Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001 CONTACTS: Bonnie Bellow, EPA Region 2, (212) 637-3660 Bonnie Piper, EPA Headquarters (202) 564-4355 Sue Hensley, Department of Labor, (202) 693-4676 Susan Fleming, OSHA, (212) 337-2326 EPA AND OSHA WEB SITES PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DATA FROM WORLD TRADE CENTER AND SURROUNDING AREAS Data Confirms No Significant Public Health Risks; Rescue Crews and Nearby Residents Should Take Appropriate Precautions U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman and U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) John Henshaw announced today that both federal agencies are providing the public with extensive additional environmental monitonng data from the World Trade Center site and nearby areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey. Both agencies have taken hundreds of samples to monitor environmental conditions since September 11, and have found no evidence of any significant public health hazard to residents, visitors or workers beyond the immediate World Trade Center area. In response to public requests for more detailed information, EPA and OSHA are making the results of environmental and occupational sampling available on their sites on the World Wide Web (www.epa.gov and www.osha.gov), and will post additional data as it becomes available. EPA and OSHA, working closely with other federal, state, and local agencies, have been sampling the air, dust, water, river sediments and drinking water and analyzing them for the presence of pollutants such as asbestos, radiation, mercury and other metals, pesticides, PCBs, or bacteria that might create health hazards. They have found no evidence of any significant public health hazard to residents or visitors to the New York metropolitan area. "EPA's website now has more detailed information on environmental monitoring information in New York City that should be very reassuring to residents, tourists and workers, and we will continue to update that site with information as it becomes available" said EPA http://w\vw.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=137 3/29/2005 Administrator Whitman. "Our data show that contaminant levels are low or nonexistent, and are generally confined to the Trade Center site. There is no need for concern among the general public, but residents and business owners should follow recommended procedures for cleaning up homes and businesses if dust has entered." OSHA Administrator John Henshaw confirmed that workers on the site should take appropriate steps to protect themselves, but there is no tlireat to public health. "We have more than 200 staffers involved in a round-the-clock effort, continually monitoring conditions to ensure the safety and health of workers," Administrator Henshaw said. "It is important for workers involved in the recovery and clean-up to wear protective equipment as potential hazards and conditions are constantly changing at the site; however, our samples indicate there is no evidence of significant levels of airborne asbestos or other contaminants beyond the disaster site itself." On the whole, despite questions about potential contaminants from the Trade Center site, EPA and OSHA data indicates there is no cause for general public concern. Residents and workers returning to buildings where dust from the Trade Center has entered the building should follow proper procedures in cleaning buildings, but the general public should feel very reassured about the extensive environmental monitoring data that has been collected and analyzed. Rescue and recovery crews working on the Trade Center site should take steps to protect themselves from potential exposure to contaminants by using respirators and washing stations as recommended by EPA and OSHA. In total, EPA and OSHA have taken 835 ambient air samples in the New York City metropolitan area. EPA is currently collecting data from 16 fixed air monitors at ground zero and in the residential and business districts around the site, and both EPA and OSHA are using portable sampling equipment to collect data from a range of locations throughout the area. Out of a total of 442 air samples EPA has taken at ground zero and in the immediate area, only 27 had levels of asbestos above the standard EPA uses to determine if children can reenter a school after asbestos has been removed - a stringent standard based upon assumptions of long-term exposure. OSHA has analyzed 67 air samples from the same area, and all were below the OSHA workplace standard for asbestos. All fifty-four air samples from EPA's four monitors in New Jersey found no levels above EPA's standard. Another 162 samples were taken from EPA's monitors at the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, where debris from the World Trade Center is being taken; only two exceeded EPA's standard. Of 177 bulk dust and debris samples collected by EPA and OSHA and analyzed for asbestos, 48 had levels over 1 percent, the level EPA and OSHA use to define asbestos-containing material. Although early samples from water runoff into the Hudson and East Rivers showed some elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin, asbestos and metals, recent results find non-detectable levels of asbestos, and PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals below the level of concern. EPA and OSHA have also conducted sampling for the presence of metals (lead, iron oxide, zinc oxide, copper and beryllium) at ground zero and in surrounding areas. None of the levels of these metals have exceeded OSHA limits. Although EPA has measured dioxin levels in and around the World Trade Center site that were at or above EPA's level for taking action, the risk from dioxin is based on long-term exposure. EPA and OSHA expect levels to diminish as soon as the remaining fires on the site http://vv'ww.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?pjable=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id:=137 3/29/2005 are extinguished. Of the 36 samples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) taken around ground zero to assist response workers in determining the appropriate level of respiratory' protection, several samples have been above the OSHA standard for workers. None presented an immediate risk to workers, and the levels are expected to decline when the fires are out. Fact sheets with more specific information for various parts of the New York City metropolitan area are attached. Resq.urceiforjpfor^ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration: www.osha.gov New York City Department of Health: www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/aIerts/91 l.html U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: www.hhs.gov/hottopics/healing/facts.html New York State Emergency Management Office: www.state.ny.us/septl 1/wtcframe.html The text of this news release is available on the OSHA website at http://www.osha.gov. Information on this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999. EPA-OSHA FACT SHEET: Environmental Information from Ground Zero at the World Trade Center Site Much of the monitoring data collected to date on and around the World Trade Center site indicates relatively low levels of asbestos and other potential contaminants. Nevertheless, workers should take precautions to protect themselves from any potential exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are making every effort to protect the health of workers at the World Trade Center site. EPA and OSHA are providing real-time analysis in the immediate vicinity of the debris pile at ground zero, checking for compounds such as benzene, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide that are associated with fires. This information helps response workers on the scene determine what level of respiratory protection is appropriate to use. EPA is also collecting data from 16 fixed air monitors in and around ground zero, which provide critical information about levels of asbestos at the site. Crews working on the rubble pile at the World Trade Center site should wear respirators, which have been provided by EPA, OSHA and other government agencies, and take appropriate precautions to protect against potential environmental hazards. OSHA is fitchecking respirators for workers involved in the rescue and recovery. http:/Avww.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p id=137 3/29/2005 To reduce worker exposure to the dust, EPA has set up washing stations for response workers at ground zero. These stations provide shelter, shade and a place for workers to wash off and change into clean clothing before going home. Vehicles and heavy equipment departing the zone are being washed down prior to departure as well. Signs mfonning rescuers of the need to wear protective gear are posted throughout the washing areas. Asbestos Monitoring Data -- Ambient Air Samples: OSHA has analyzed 67 air samples in the area where crews are actively working on the World Trade Center Site. None of these samples exceeded OSHA's permissible exposure limit of 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour time-weighted average. EPA has collected and analyzed a total of 442 air samples for asbestos from its 16 fixed air monitoring stations, which are located in the area surrounding the World Trade Center site. Only 27 were above 70 structures per millimeter squared, the AHERA standard, which is based upon assumptions of long-tenn exposure. ("AHERA" is the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, which is used to determine whether children may re-enter a school building after an asbestos removal or abatement.) AsbestosJMotiitoring Data_ -z3ulk_ Dust and Debris Samples: EPA and OSHA have also sampled dust at the site and in the surrounding area for asbestos. Of 177 bulk samples collected by EPA and OSHA, 48 contained more than one percent asbestos, the level EPA and OSHA use to define asbestos-containing material. The existence of dust that contains more than one percent of asbestos does not in itself constitute a significant health hazard - ambient air samples are more accurate measures of actual exposure potential, and asbestos is primarily considered hazardous after long-term exposure - but dust samples do provide important information about potential exposure. Asbestos was used as a fire-proofing material in a portion of one of the World Trade Center towers. Dioxin: EPA took samples at four stations on Sept. 16 and analyzed them for dioxin. Levels were at or just above EPA's standard for action based upon an assumption of a continuous 30-year exposure. EPA is monitoring closely, but sees no cause for concern by workers or the public based upon short-term exposure to these levels. EPA and OSHA recommend that workers at the site use respirators they.have been provided, which will protect them from exposure to dioxins. Metals: OSHA has taken 53 samples of metals such as lead, iron oxide, zinc oxide, copper and beryllium. None of the levels found for these metals have exceeded OSHA limits. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): EPA and OSHA have closely monitored levels of VOCs in the plume of smoke coming from the site, mainly to assist response workers in detennining the appropriate level of respiratory protection. Four samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 0.5 parts per million (ppm) for an eight-hour day, but did not approach a level of immediate concern to workers. The sample taken September 22 had a level of 3.2 ppm. One sample taken on September 26 had a level of 11 ppm, which fell to 2.6 ppm on September 29. The sample taken September 30 found 5.1 ppm. EPA and OSHA are continuing to monitor these emissions closely, but expect them to decrease significantly as the remaining fires under the debris pile are extinguished. http://vvww. osha. gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp. show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=l 37 3/29/2005 Carbon hi on oxide; OSHA has taken nine personal samples of carbon monoxide for workers on the debris pile; results range from 1 ppm to 15 ppm -- well below the OSHA standard (50 ppm permissible exposure limit). As a precaution. FEMA is bringing in a medical team to handle any potential health complaints from workers on the site. Silica: OSHA has collected more than 40 samples from the disaster site and analyzed them for crystalline silica. The overwhelming majority have shown no detectable levels of silica. The highest result was less than half the OSHA limit. Freon: Freon, which is commonly used as a coolant in refrigerators and air conditioners, was stored in the basement of the World Trade Center. The freon containers have been located and are reported to be intact. The freon will be recycled after it is removed. EPA-OSHA FACT SHEET: Environmental Information from Lower Manhattan for Residents, Area Employees and Local Business Owners Air and dust samples collected in lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey show that the public is not being exposed to concentrations of asbestos above EPA or OSHA levels of concent. Shortly after the World Trade Center collapse, EPA's emergency response team and OSHA staff were on the scene taking air and dust samples and analyzing them for asbestos, lead and volatile organic compounds. Four air samples, collected on September 11 in Brooklyn where the prevailing winds were blowing, were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Also, five air samples were collected on September 11 in Brooklyn and were analyzed for lead and asbestos. None of the samples had detectable levels of lead. Asbestos was not detected in two samples, and the other two had levels of asbestos well below the EPA (AHERA) standard used to determine if children can re-enter a school after asbestos has been removed or abated. Two samples had no detectable levels of VOCs, and two had very low levels of a VOC compound. EPA also obtained four air samples from Liberty State Park in New Jersey, across the Hudson River from the World Trade Center. Neither asbestos nor lead were detected in any of the samples. Two of the samples contained some toluene, which probably originated from automobile exhaust or gasoline generators being used near the sample collection locations. As of September 30, EPA has collected and analyzed 442 air samples for asbestos from its 16 fixed air monitonng stations. Only 27 were above 70 structures per millimeter squared, the AHERA standard. In addition, EPA has taken 128 samples of dust and analyzed them for asbestos. Thirty-four have had levels of asbestos above the 1 percent used to define asbestos-containing material. Four samples of dust taken in the immediate vicinity of the debris pile on September 11 hitp.7/www. osha. gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp. show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=l 37 3/29/2005 found lead concentrations well below EPA's lead action level. Only one of the four samples had an asbestos level over the 1 percent. In addition, OSHA took nearly 200 bulk dust and air samples to test for asbestos in the Financial District and a 90-block area immediately sunounding the World Trade Center from September 13 to September 24. Results showed levels consistent with safe and acceptable standards, ranging from 0.0013 f/cc to 0.086 f/cc. EPA has used its 10 HEPA filter SUPERVAC vacuum trucks to clean streets, sidewalks and parks in residential and commercial areas around the World Trade Center site, where heavy dust or the presence of asbestos was found. The high-powered vacuum trucks have been used to clean streets in the Financial District, as well as sidewalks, the Battery Park City promenade, area parks, playgrounds, and even children's sand boxes. Dust and other materials vacuumed are being kept in air-tight containers and disposed of properly. Vacuum trucks will be available to address other areas, as needed. In examining the data provided by EPA and OSHA, the public should be careful to distinguish between data that measures asbestos concentrations in the air and in data from dust samples taken from the ground or other surfaces. Ambient air samples are more accurate indicators of the potential exposure of the public to potential contaminants. Levels of asbestos in the dust and debris vary. The agencies have found some levels above the one percent standard that indicates that the material contains asbestos, but ambient air sampling has not generally revealed concentrations of asbestos at levels that pose significant threats to public health. EPA has been evaluating samples of air against an extremely stringent standard, the AHERA standard (70 structures per millimeter squared; established by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act). Levels of asbestos above the AHERA standard do not imply that (here is an immediate health threat to the public. Asbestos exposure becomes a health concern when high concentrations of asbestos fibers are inhaled over a long period. Metals: EPA collected air samples at 24 locations in the residential and business districts near the World Trade Center on September 16, 23, and 27 and analyzed them for metals. No samples violated OSHA standards. Workers in the Financial District: EPA and OSHA made extensive efforts to ensure the safety of workers in the Financial District as they returned to work on September 17. EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard helped corporate personnel from 42 firms enter financial district buildings to retrieve important information and check computer systems that were needed in order to open the markets on September 1 7. Buildings were examined for contaminants and to ensure adequate oxygen prior to entry. EPA also deployed its SUPERVAC trucks to the Financial District to clean the streets and sidewalks before employees returned to work. OSHA took approximately 126 air and bulk samples in the Financial District from September 13 to September 21. Results showed levels well below OSHA standards. Therefore, OSHA ceased sampling in the Financial District on Sept. 21. Residents and Workers Returning to Homes and Offices in Lower Manhattan The vast majority of EPA and OSHA samples of air and dust analyzed for asbestos have been it levels that pose no significant risk to residents and workers returning to their homes or area lusinesses. However, people returning to buildings in the area may find some level of dust ittp://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p id=137 3/29/2005 and debris. If dust or debris from the World Trade Center site has entered homes or offices, people should be sure to clean thoroughly and avoid inhaling dust while doing so. The New York City Department of Public Health has posted information and recommendations for people reentering buildings at www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/alerts/wtc3.html. EPA-OSHA FACT SHEET: Other Environmental Issues Related to the Attack on the World Trade Center T)nnk[n_g water: EPA and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection sampled drinking water from 13 water mains in lower Manhattan on September 15. Typically, sampling is done at the water main distribution points and not at the tap. Asbestos was not detected in any of the samples, nor was any bacterial contamination. PCBs and pesticides levels were below detectable levels, and metals (including mercury) and radioactivity (both alpha and beta) did not exceed EPA dnnking water standards. Water: EPA has collected water samples from the Hudson and East Rivers where storm sewers and surface runoff is discharged following days of heavy rain to determine if any potential contaminants from the site are entering area waters. Initial runoff samples showed some elevated levels of PCBs, dioxin, asbestos and metals. Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were at levels normally found in city combined sewage flows. Followup samples found non-detectable levels of asbestos, PCBs and PAHs and metals below the level of concern. EPA has also collected water samples from the 13th Street Pump Station, which transfers wastewater from lower Manhattan to the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Brooklyn. As a precaution, the Newtown Creek plant is segregating the sewage flows from lower Manhattan and will not use the sludge from these flows for beneficial use. Analysis of samples taken for dioxin showed no elevated levels. Fresh. Kills. Landfill: EPA has been monitoring and analyzing dust levels at the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, where debris from the World Trade Center site is being taken for storage and analysis by the FBI. EPA has taken 162 air samples at the landfill, with only two exceeding the AHERA standard. EPA has found no cause for alarm, but is advising FBI crews at the andfill to wear respirators and to suppress the dust with v/ater when dust levels rise. EPA is IOW operating and has upgraded washing stations for workers and trucks at the site, which vere previously managed by the National Guard. Recent data indicates dust levels on the site ire decreasing. \m all Business Assistance: IP A Compliance Assistance staff are working with the Small Business Administration to rovide information to impacted small businesses regarding assistance loans and cleanup ttp :/Avww.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_tabIe=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=l 37 3/29/2005 options. Business owners can contact SBA disaster assistance at 1-800-659-2955. ^ | OSHA News Release - Table of Contents (2) Back to Top www.osha.gov Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers www.dol.gov Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 ittp.7Avww.osha. gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp. show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=l 37 3/29/2005 2001 - 09/14/2001 - OSHA Pitching In To Assist With Worker Safety Measures, Asbestos Tests Depart... Page 1 of 2 OSHA News Release 2 0 0 1 - 0 9 / 1 4 / 2 0 0 1 - OSHA Pitching I n To Assist With Worker Safety Measures, Asbestos Tests Department Will Also Begin To Process Workers Compensation Claims ^ OSHA News Release - Table of Contents OSHA National Mews Release U.S. Department of Labor QSHA, Office of Communications National News Release USDL 01-307 September 14, 2001 Contact: Sue Hensley Phone: 202-693-4676 OSHA Pitching In To Assist With Worker Safety Measures, Asbestos Tests Department Will Also Begin To Process Workers Compensation Claims WASHINGTON - U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced today that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is providing advice and technical assistance to employers and federal agencies to help protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances in the New York City and Pentagon disaster sites. In New York, OSHA is testing asbestos levels in buildings within a several block radius surrounding the perimeter of the World Trade Center emergency site. "OSHA is working with other federal agencies to help employees return to their jobsites as quickly as possible. Initial reports on asbestos levels in outlying buildings are extremely encouraging. OSHA's goal is to ensure that people who enter buildings near or downwind from the emergency area are protected and provided with all of the safety information possible," said Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. OSHA inspectors are working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to test asbestos levels in New York City. EPA sampling of ambient air quality have found either no asbestos or very low levels of asbestos. Sampling of bulk materials and dust found generally low levels of asbestos. OSHA has also been advising Consolidated Edison regarding safety standards for employees who are digging trenches because of leaking gas lines underground. The agency is advising the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regarding worker protection during rescue operations. At the Pentagon, OSHA is assisting with concerns about asbestos exposure and structural damage during rescue operations. 2001 - 09/14/2001 - OSHA Pitching In To Assist With Worker Safety Measures, Asbestos Tests Depart... In addition to OSHA's role Chao also highlighted the role of the Department of Labor's Office of Workers Compensation Claims (OWCP), which has established teams to expedite processing of workers' compensation claims for eligible federal staff and emergency personnel. The Federal Employees' Compensation Act covers all civilian federal employees who sustain injuries while on duty assisting recovery efforts in the Pentagon and World Trade Center attacks and subsequent rescue operations. Surviving spouses and dependent children are also entitled to benefits. The Department of Defense has set up a crisis center in Crystal City to assist Pentagon personnel and their relatives, and the Department of Labor has OWCP staff and computer equipment on site to process claims immediately. Federal civilian employees are also encouraged to call 1-866-999-FECA for assistance on compensation claims. "As President Bush stated, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack this week," said Labor Secretary Chao. "In the midst of this tragedy, we have resolved to do the work of the people. Checks should go out; claims should be processed; and work sites should be inspected. The only way these attacks will succeed is if they prevent our government from serving the American people. This will not happen. Our resolve to do our duty and serve the country we love will not be deterred or diminished by terrorist acts." ### Page 2 of 2 U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. ^s OSHA News Release - Table of Contents o A ) Back to Top www.osha.gov Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers www.dol.gov Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 JUDtCIARV RINGING COMMITTEE MEMBER JERROLD NADLER 6ni DISTRICT. N E W YOH< REPLY TO. ACM.Vi?-TR^li^t LAW C W A S H I N G T O N OFFICE 2331IB!I j r r r o l d nfifll6r G m o i ' . house 0ow W c b h u p v / f ^ - v w houee.nov.'nocler/ TRANSPORTATION AND N F R A S T R U C T U R E COMMITTEE r .t.ecO<tatesf ^OUS'E C of ftepreSEntatibEg CI REGIONAL WHli ftSasfjinrdon, 2D? 20515 June 3, 2002 John L. Henshaw US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue Washington, D.C. 20210 Dear Mr. Henshaw: As the Congressman representing Ground Zero ana the surrounding area in lower Manhattan, I am deeply concerned about the environmental conditions in New York City following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The destruction of the World Trade Center has presented an unprecedented public health problem to the citizens of New York, to the denizens of lower Manhattan, and, of course, to those men and women who have worked tirelessly 10 rescue survivors, recover human remains, and conduct clean-up operations at Ground Zero. OSHA's own efforts at the site have been extensive and the placement of OSHA staff members at the site, around the clock, has greatly contributed to the protection of the World Trade Center workers. Indeed, OSHA's own dedication to the workers at the site is a testament to the complexity of the health and safety issues presented by the disaster and the subsequent clean-up Nonetheless, despite OSHA's active presence at the site since the disaster, OSHA Region 2 officials have maintained that OSHA's enforcement authority has been suspended for the duration of the rescue, recovery and clean-up operations. OSHA officials have presented a variety of justifications and rationales for this determination, none of which have proven to be conclusive. As such, I am seeking clarification of (1) whether OSHA made a determination to suspend enforcement at the site; (2) the bases for this determination, both legal and otherwise; and (3) when, how and by whom this decision was made. Accordingly, the following information is requested so that these matters can be clarified: 1. Please provide clarification of whether OSHA determined that enforcement authority should be or would be suspended at the World Trade Center disaster site. 2 Please provide citation to and a copy of, if necessary, any and all documents, memoranda directives, regulations, or laws which provide the basis for OSHA's decision to suspend its enforcement authority at the World Trade Center disaster site after September 13, 2001. P 6 / O J o 02 12:19 FAX lit! u u J 3. Please provide ? copy of any and all documents pertaining to the enforcement of OSHA law at the World Trade Center site since September l ] 1 , including but nol limited to memoranda, letters, directives or documents from OSHA Headquarters, the Department of Labor, or any of other federal agency (including but not limited to the EPA, FEMA, or the Department of the Interior) to OSHA Region 2 regardine the suspension of enforcement of OSHA law or standards, prepared after the September 11 th disaster. 4. Please provide a copy of any and all documents pertaining to the enforcement of OSHA law at the World Trade Center site since September 11 , including but not limited to memoranda, letters, directives or documents from OSHA Headquarters, the Department of Labor, or any of other federal agency (including but not limited to the EPA, FEMA, or the Department of the Intenor) to OSHA Region 2 regarding the applicability of OSRA law or standards to the World Trade Center site, prepared after the September ll U l disaster. 5 Please provide a copy of any and all documents pertaining to the enforcement of OSHA law at the World Trade Center site since September l L , including but not limited to memoranda letters, directives or documents from OSHA Region 2 to OSHA Headquarlers or the Department of Labor regarding the suspension of enforcement of OSHA law or standards, prepared after the September 1 l n disaster. 6. Please provide a copy of any and all documents pertaining to the enforcement of OSHA law at the World Trade Center site since September 11T , including but not limited to memoranda, letters, directives or documents from OSHA Region 2 to OSHA Headquarlers or the Department, of Labor regarding the applicability of OSHA law or standards to the World Trade Center site, prepared after the September 11 th disaster. 7 Please provide a copy of any and all instructions from OSHA to OSHA staff concerning the applicability of OSHA law, standards, regulations andVor directives at the World Trade Center disaster site. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Your prompt reply to this request is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, U.S. Department of Labor feisian; Secretary lor Occ-jpstional Safety and Health Washmctci DC 20210 m ~s m The Honorable Jerrold Nadler U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Nadler: Thank you for your letter of June 3 to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning the safety and health of workers involved with the rescue and, later, clean-up operations at the World Trade Center (WTC). The efforts and sacrifices of those men and women stand as a tribute to the victims and the resolve of the country. I appreciate your kind words concerning the dedication of OSHA staff who assisted local authorities during those shock-filled days, weeks and months in the aftermath of the attack. I will certainly share your acknowledgement with the numerous OSHA individuals who participated in the effort, particularly those w h o were on-site. Although I agree with your statements concerning OSHA participation in protecting workers immediately after the attack, 1 am troubled by the suggestion that OSHA's decision to focus agency priorities on consultation, safety monitoring, air sampling and fit-testing of respirators during the chaotic aftermath of the attack constituted an abrogation of the Agency's statutory enforcement authority. I am sure there is no suggestion on your part that the decision to place an emphasis on assistance somehow added to the danger those heroic workers encountered. It took only moments of watching the horror unfolding on television to understand that the Agency was facing a situation never contemplated by the enforcement provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) or OSHA's ordinary inspection and citation procedures. I arrived on the scene on Thursday, and it was obvious workers engaged in response and recovery operations at the WTC site were not working in anything like a normal industrial setting, nor was this in any sense a typical construction or demolition project. It was also clear to me employees on the WTC site needed immediate protection 2 from hazards whose scope and severity could only be determined as the work progressed; and the urgency of the task being performed at the WTC simply did not allow time to invoke OSHA's ordinary enforcement procedures to assure the safety of these workers. Fortunately, the authority provided OSHA in the OSH Act is not limited to enforcement, but includes a mandate to "consult with and advise employers and employees, and organizations representing employers and employees as to effective means of preventing occupational injuries and illnesses." OSH Act ?21 (c)(2). Use of OSHA's Congressionally-provided technical assistance authority is particularly appropriate in circumstances where multiple agencies are engaged in an ongoing disaster response. For instance, the Federal Response Plan (FRP), developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate federal agency response functions, specifies that OSHA may make safety and health specialists available to assist in protecting disaster personnel, including safety consultation and training, air contaminant sampling, and other services. FRP Occupational Safety and Health Annex, para V.b (available at www, fema.gov/rrr/frp/frposh). Similarly, in addition to its enforcement responsibilities OSHA has a technical advice and consultation role as a member of the National Response Team (NRT) established under the Environmental Protection Agency's National Contingency Plan. 40 CFR ?300.175(b)(ll)(ii). OSHA's own internal directive on response to catastrophic events authorize field staff to provide technical assistance including review of site safety plans, providing chemical hazard information, assistance with exposure monitoring, and advising on personal protective equipment. OSHA Directive CPL 2.94, para. F.3 (July 22, 1991.) The Agency's safety and health leadership response was two-fold. One, in the near term, we deployed staff to assess conditions at the WTC site and assist and train response organizations in choosing, fitting and using protective gear (11,200 hard hats, 14,000 pair of safety glasses, 21,200 pair of gloves and 130,624 respirators). We conducted exposure monitoring for the numerous chemicals released at the site and kept our analytical laboratory in Salt Lake City open seven days a week to provide sample results within 24 hours (6,548 samples were taken at the site, resulting in 24,412 analyses). Noise exposure monitoring was conducted and recommendations made for appropriate hearing protection. All told, OSHA staff provided over 15,000 eight-hour tours of duty at the site . 3 Second, in order to ensure that all parties working at the WTC site would follow standard safety and health practices, we entered into a short-term agreement on November 20, 2001 with the "Site Co-Incident Commanders," Employee Associations and the Prime Contractors. The Agreement set forth general strategies and objectives to protect the workers. On April 10, 2002 OSHA entered into a detailed Project Partnership Agreement with the Construction Manager, an Employee Association and an Employer Association. This Agreement elaborated on the general parameters contained in the November document and set forth the responsibilities of the Construction Manager and the Safety Manager. Each participating contractor agreed to maintain its own safety and health program. Non-formal complaints concerning safety and health hazards were to be reported to the contractor or subcontractor for immediate abatement. The nature of any complaint and the corresponding remedial action was to be provided to OSHA's Manhattan Area Office and the Labor/Management Site Safety and Health Committee within 24 hours after the complaint was received. Fatality and catastrophic occurrences and formal complaints remained subject to OSHA inspections. However, during the entire length of the project, OSHA received zero complaints. The April Agreement included a provision addressing data collection. Data is reviewed to determine whether or not the goals of the agreement are being achieved. We calculate that nearly 3.7 million work hours have been logged at the WTC site. As of June 11, 2002 (the nine month anniversary of the attack) 57 workers at the WTC have suffered injuries that resulted in lost workdays, none of which were life threatening. That statistic represents approximately 3,700,000 work hours at the site. The Lost Work Day Injury and Illness (LWDII) rate for the site is 3.1. The closest comparison that can be m a d e is with specialty construction, which includes demolition, which has a LWDII rate of 4.3. This was a remarkable achievement, one for which the entire nation should be proud. The national tragedy at the WTC presented obstacles on a scale unlike any ever faced in the thirty years of the agency. Many other public sector agencies, both local and federal, can make the same statement. OSHA responded to this tragedy vowing to do everything in our power to assure we do not lose another life at that site and that we make it as safe as possible. I am proud to say we accomplished that. While I hope and pray that the nation will never again experience such a despicable attack, OSHA stands ready to develop assistance plans tailored to provide workers with the best safety and health protections available. 4 I appreciate your concern for the safety and health of the workers at the WTC. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, jXAo\xx\ L. Henshaw Miller, Amy-OSHA From: Sent: To: Subject: ta Zoldan Efraim Monday, October 01, 2001 5:38 PM Henshaw John; Layne Raymond (Davis); Hensley Sue; Wright William-OSHA Re-DRAFT of Joint OSHA/EPA News Release Attached is our re-working-primarily of the fact sheets-of the draft release sent by Sam Thernstrom. We all remain concerned that this package is too long and could be open to questions and misinterpretations. However, we've added in and corrected the OSHA information. I will call Sam and check on what happened with his meeting with EPA and let him know our version is in final clearance with all of you. Thanks! Susan EPA - OSHA WTC PR21B.doc (43 K... 1 t o EPA AND OSHA WEB SITES PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DATA FROM WORLD TRADE CENTER AND SURROUNDING AREAS Data Confirms New York Is Safe For Residents, Workers, and Tourists CONTACT: EPA contacts, DOL/OSHA contacts U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman and the U.S Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) John Henshaw announced today that both federal agencies are providing the public with extensive environmental monitoring data from the World Trade Center site and nearby areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey. Both agencies have taken hundreds of samples to monitor environmental conditions since September 11, and have found no evidence of any serious public health hazard to residents, visitors or workers beyond the immediate World Trade Center debris pile. In response to public requests for detailed information, EPA and OSHA are making the results of environmental sampling available on their sites on the World Wide Web (www.epa.gov and www.osha.gov), and will post additional data as it becomes available. EPA and OSHA, working closely with other federal, state, and local agencies, have been sampling the air, dust, water, river sediments and drinking water and analyzing them for the presence of pollutants such as asbestos, radiation, mercury and other metals, pesticides, PCBs, or bacteria that might create health hazards. They have found no evidence of any serious public health hazard to residents, workers beyond the rubble pile, or visitors to the New York metropolitan area. "EPA's web site now has very detailed information on air and water sampling in New York City, and anyone who is interested or concerned can access the latest information by connecting to our home page, or to other federal and local agencies," said Administrator Whitman. "The latest monitoring data continue to show that, by and large, the levels of contaminants do not exceed EPA's or OSHA's standards for concern, and are generally limited to the area immediately surrounding the World Trade Center site. We do urge crews at the site to take appropriate precautions, but the general public should not be alarmed as they return to their residences and businesses." OSHA Administrator John Henshaw confirmed that workers on the site should take appropriate steps to protect themselves, but there is no tlireat to public health. "We have more than 200 staffers involved in a round-the-clock effort, continually monitoring conditions to ensure the safety and health of workers," Administrator Henshaw said. "It is important for workers involved in the recovery and clean-up to wear protective equipment as potential hazards and conditions are constantly changing at the site; however, our samples indicate there is no evidence of airborne asbestos or other contaminants beyond the disaster site itself." OSHA is posting on its website today a gridmap showing specific sampling results and locations in New York. IS THIS THE LATEST?>> EPA is currently collecting data from 16 fixed monitors in and around the World Trade Center site IN OTHER WORDS, ACROSS LOWER MANHATTAN, YES?, and is using portable sampling equipment to collect data from a range of locations. BRIEFLY SUMMARIZE BASIC CONCLUSIONS ON EACH FACT SHEET - HOW MANY SAMPLES IN LOWER MANHATTAN, HOW MANY IN BROOK AND NJ, HOW MANY AMBIENT AIR, HOW MANY BULK DUST, HOW MANY WATER, HOW MANY IN EACH CATEGORY exceeded EPA or OSHA's standards for concern for each contaminant. In total, EPA has'taken 382 ambient air samples in the New York City metropolitan area. Resources for Information on the World Wide Web: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration: www.osha.gov New York City Department of Health: ww^.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/alerts/91 1 .html U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: www.hhs.gov/hottopics/healing/facts.html New York State Emergency Management Office: www.state.ny.us/septll/w1cframe.html Fact sheets with more specific monitoring data for various parts of the New York City Metropolitan area are attached. #### 2 EPA-OSHA FACT SHEET: Environmental Information from the World Trade Center Site for Workers Involved in the Rescue EPA and OSHA are providing real-time analysis in the immediate vicinity of the debris pile at ground zero, checking for compounds such as benzene, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide that are associated with fires. This information helps response workers on the scene determine what level of respiratory protection is appropriate to use. Ambient Air Sampling: Crews working on the rubble pile at the World Trade Center site should take appropriate precautions to protect against potential environmental hazards. Much of the monitoring data collected so far indicates relatively low levels of asbestos and other potential contaminants. However, OSHA is advising workers in the vicinity of the rubble pile to wear respiratory protection. Asbestos: OSHA has taken 65 air samples and seven bulk samples in the area where crews are actively working on the World Trade Center Site. These samples were analyzed for asbestos, and none of them exceeded OSHA's permissible exposure limit of 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Appropriate protective equipment, facilities and information have been made available to work crews at the site. OSHA and EPA continue to monitor for asbestos, and new data will be made available periodically. OSHA has taken the lead in fit-checking respirators for workers involved in the rescue and recovery. Dioxin: EPA took samples at four stations on Sept. 16 - IS THIS OUR MOST RECENT DATA? -- and analyzed them for dioxin. Levels were at or just above EPA's standard for action based upon a 30-year exposure. EPA is monitoring closely, but sees no cause for concern based upon short-term exposure to these levels. EPA has provided workers on the site with respirators that will protect them from exposure to dioxins. There is no need for public concern about dioxin exposure beyond the immediate site. Metals: EPA collected ambient air samples at 10 locations OVER WHAT DATES and analyzed them for metals. Three samples had levels of lead that would violate EPA's standard for a three-month exposure, but levels are expected to fall when the last fires o the site are extinguished. EPA will monitor closely, but sees no cause for immediate concern. OSHA has taken 53 samples of metals such as lead, iron oxide, zinc oxide, copper and beryllium. None of the levels found for these metals have exceeded OSHA limits. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): EPA has closely monitored levels of VOCs in the plume of air coming from the site. One sample taken Sept. 20-21 showed a somewhat elevated level of benzene - NEED SPECIFICS. One sample taken on September 29 found benzene at 2.6 parts per million, which exceeded the OSHA standard of 1 part per million for an eight-hour day, but did not approach a level of immediate concern to 3 workers. EPA expects these emissions to decrease significantly as the remaining fires under the debris pile are extinguished. OSHA screening samples for volatile organic compounds showed elevated levels of various organic chemicals released by the fire. Therefore OSHA is currently conducting personal and area sampling at the disaster site. Results should be available the second week of October. Carbon Monoxide: OSHA has taken nine personal samples for workers on the rubble pile and results range from 1 ppm to 15 ppm--well below the OSHA 50 ppm permissible exposure limit. As a precaution, FEMA is bringing in a medical team to handle any potential health complaints from workers on the site. Silica: OSHA has collected more than 40 samples for crystalline silica, and the overwhelming majority have shown no detectable levels of silica. The highest result was less than half the OSHA limit. Freon: Freon tanks from the chillers in the World Trade Center buildings will be drained in line with plans being developed by Bechtel. Currently, it remains intact in the tanks on the site and poses no immediate hazard to workers on the rubble pile. 4 EPA-OSHA FACT SHEET: Environmental Information from Lower Manhattan for Residents and Workers Outside the WTC Site Ambient air samples collected in lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey show that the public is not being exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos in the air. As of September 30, EPA has taken 382 ambient air samples. HOW MANY WERE ABOVE STANDARDS OSHA has taken nearly 200 bulk and air samples to test for asbestos in the Financial District and a 90-block area surrounding the World Trade Center from September 13 to September 24. Results showed levels consistent with safe and acceptable standards, ranging from 0.0013 f/cc to 0.086 f/cc. ADD GRAF WITH BULK DUST SAMPLING DATA, AND CONTRAST WITH AMBIENT AIR SAMPLING DATA Say something about cleanup efforts - vac trucks, etc. EPA has been washing and vacuuming in lower Manhattan, and has completed Broadway, Church and Warren Streets. Have we cleaned up every area where samples were above standards? In examining the data provided by EPA and OSHA, the public should be careful to distinguish between data that measures asbestos concentrations in the air and in data from dust samples taken from the ground or other surfaces. Ambient air samples are more accurate indicators of the potential exposure of the public to potential contaminants. Levels of asbestos in the dust and debris vary, and in some cases are high enough to be considered asbestos-containing material, but ambient air sampling has not generally revealed concentrations of asbestos at a level that poses a threat to public health. EPA has been evaluating samples of air and dust against an extremely stringent standard, (the so-called "AHERA standard") The existence of isolated samples that contain levels of asbestos that exceed that standard to do not imply that there is an immediate health threat to the public. Asbestos exposure becomes a health concern when high concentrations of asbestos fibers are inhaled over a long period. Illness is very unlikely to result from a single, high-level exposure, or from a short period of exposure to lower levels. Workers in the Financial District: EPA and OSHA made extensive efforts to ensure the safety of workers in the Financial District as they returned to work on September 17. EPA and OSHA also assisted 42 finns that needed to access information in their buildings prior to September 17 to enable the markets to reopen on the 17lh. In addition to conducting extensive environmental monitoring, EPA operated HOW MANY HEPA vacuum trucks for HOW LONG in the Financial District, cleaning streets 5 and sidewalks of dust and debris from the World Trade Center. EPA finished its work in the Financial District on September 28. OSHA took approximately 126 air and bulk samples in the Financial District from September 13 to September 21. Results showed levels well below OSHA standards. Therefore, OSHA ceased sampling in the Financial District on Sept. 21. ADD EPA DATA in FD Residents and Workers Returning to Homes and Offices in Lower Manhattan CAN WE SAY SOMETHING GENERALLY CHARACTERIZING OUR SAMPLING AND FINDINGS, REASSURING THE PUBLIC THAT AMBIENT AIR IS OK AND MOST DUST SAMPLES OK TOO? EPA has carefully studied ambient air quality in Manhattan since September 11, analyzing a total of 382 samples. Of these samples, HOW MANY exceeded EPA standards, indicating generally that Manhattan's air quality has not been significantly affected by the destruction of the World Trade Center towers. EPA has also taken HOW MANY bulk dust samples and CHARACTERIZE RESULTS. WHAT DOES THIS DATA MEAN FOR PEOPLE RETURNING TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES? If dust or debris from the World Trade Center site has entered homes or offices, people should be sure to clean thoroughly and avoid inhaling dust while doing so. The New York City Department of Public Health has posted information and recommendations for people reentering buildings at www.ci.nyc.nv.us/html/doh/htmI/alerts/wtc3.html. Schools: What do we know? Stuyvesant data: Contamination as a result of use by cleanup crews. Characterize levels. Anything about other schools? 6 EPA-OSHA FACT SHEET : Other Environmental Issues Drinking water: UPDATE THIS>>Drinking water in Manhattan was tested at 13 sampling points. Sampling show that levels of asbestos AND OTHER POTENTIAL CONTAMINANTS are well below EPA's levels of concern. Runoff water: Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment plant samples taken on Sept. 16 contained dioxin levels below EPA's threshold of concern. OTHER DATA FROM NEWTOWN? DATA FROM THE HUDSON? Fresh Kills Landfill: EPA has been monitoring and analyzing dust levels at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, where debris from the World Trade Center site is being taken for storage and analysis by the FBI. EPA has found no cause for alarm, but is advising FBI crews at the landfill when dust levels rise sufficiently to warrant additional steps to protect themselves. Recent data indicates dust levels on the site are decreasing. 7