In wake of 9/11, NYC Improves Asbestos Regulations
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
New legislation in New York City will help improve the safety working conditions of thousands of workers. It is being passed in a 12-part series of bills related to the handling of asbestos as well as construction and demolition projects in the hopes of reducing exposure to dangerous asbestos.
From now on, demolitions and asbestos abatement projects cannot be performed at the same time. This will keep demolition crews (who do not have the knowledge or equipment to handle asbestos) from being around while asbestos abatement professionals deal with the deadly substance.
To make sure that workers are always wearing protective gear, use of matches, cigarette lighters or smoking is now prohibited while a worker is on the same floor of a building where asbestos is being removed.
Of course there will also be an increase in asbestos handling education for contractors and workers.
Asbestos exposure has been often linked to fatal diseases like mesothelioma lung cancer.
It’s about time that New York City did something about their asbestos problem. Since the horror of 9/11, the city has been constantly cleaning up hazardous materials and reconstructing damaged buildings. There has already been enough concern over the health of the average resident breathing in dangerous particles while walking down the street, not to mention the construction workers who deal work in much closer range, sometimes without any protective equipment.
These new regulations were a long time coming, but hopefully we will now start to see an improvement in working conditions in New York City.