Welcome to the March issue of the Safety Suzy Newsletter!
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This March, we're all about collaboration and innovation in workplace safety! EPA and OSHA have strengthened ties with a new Memorandum of Understanding to improve chemical risk management across industries, ensuring clearer compliance and enhanced worker safety.
With Global Asbestos Awareness Month around the corner in April, it's a timely reminder to reinforce safety protocols. Technological advancements are pushing boundaries with Concert, the new modular robot from the Italian Institute of Technology, aimed at enhancing construction site safety and efficiency. Also, don’t miss our takeaways from the latest PACNY conference or the upcoming webinar on crane safety improvements, brought to you by the NCCCO Foundation. Check out our latest course offerings and secure your spot today.
| | | | | | New Memorandum of Understanding between EPA and OSHA | | EPA and OSHA have signed a new MoU to enhance their collaboration on managing chemical risks (under the Toxic Substance Control Act) in the workplace, directly impacting health and safety practices across sectors. By aligning their regulatory and enforcement approaches, companies can expect clearer guidelines and more efficient compliance measures, leading to improved worker safety and reduced liability. | | | | Global Asbestos Awareness Month: April 1-7 | |
April is a significant month for health and safety professionals, marking not only Global Asbestos Awareness Week from April 1-7 but also celebrating OSHA's birthday on April 28th. This month serves as a reminder for companies to reinforce their commitment to safety protocols and ensure compliance with OSHA's evolving standards to safeguard their employees.
| | | | | | | Key Takeaways from PACNY 2025 The 28th Annual Environmental Conference of the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) was held on February 27 & 28, 2025. This year, 30 sponsors were featured, which is a new record. The keynote speaker BJ Fungaroli, from Environmental Holdings Group, LLC, spoke about the economics of the Abatement Industry and declared the industry has 125+ years to go. NYS Department of Labor also attended with many of the area directors being present (yes Stacy Portnoy was there, too). The asbestos inspection panel that Angelo Garcia, III moderated was a success. A big Thank You to Tom Laubenthal, Chris Alonge, Marc Rutstein and Matthew Brooks for agreeing to be on the panel. | | | | | | | Concert, the Modular Robot, Heralds a New Era in Construction | | | |
Facing severe labor shortages, the construction industry has has turned once again to technology to deal with it. Concert is a new modular robot from the Italian Institute of Technology, designed to perform a variety of tasks such as drilling and insulation spraying. Unlike previous robots limited to specific functions, Concert’s adaptable design allows for greater flexibility and autonomy on job sites. Tested in Poland, the robot demonstrated high precision and the ability to navigate independently, though challenges like extreme temperatures and user interface accessibility still need to be addressed. Nevertheless, this advancement in construction automation not only promises to enhance job site safety but also aims to attract a new generation of workers to the industry. | | | | | Enhancing Crane Safety with a New Online Tool | | | | | The NCCCO Foundation, in collaboration with the National Safety Council's Work to Zero initiative, has introduced a free online tool designed to improve safety in crane operations. This resource offers tailored control options to mitigate common hazards like fatigue, falls, and equipment issues, based on expert feedback and safety literature.
The foundation also plans a webinar with safety experts to discuss effective use of the tool in addressing crane safety challenges.
| | | | | The Lasting Impact of Leaded Gasoline on Mental Health | | | |
Recent research published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry reveals a startling connection between childhood exposure to leaded gasoline and over 150 million mental health disorders among Americans alive today. The study highlights the severe and lasting impacts of lead—a potent neurotoxin—on cognitive function and mental health.
Even though leaded gasoline was banned in 1996, individuals exposed before this time continue to exhibit a higher prevalence of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and attention deficits. The pervasive use of leaded gasoline in the past has not only affected individual health but has also potentially influenced broader societal behaviors and trends, from generational gloom to crime rates. This underscores the need for ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of residual environmental lead and protect future generations from similar exposures. | | | | | Stricter Lead Paint Regulations Enacted by NYC HPD | | | | Effective March 17, 2025, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has updated its lead poisoning prevention and control rules under Chapter 11 of Title 28. These amendments introduce rigorous new requirements for managing lead-based paint hazards in NYC's housing. Key changes include: - Mandatory lead testing in common areas;
- Stringent record-keeping for resolving lead hazards;
- Detailed turnover work protocols for apartments where young children live.
The updates aim to minimize lead exposure risks for children and streamline compliance through specific audit criteria based on regional lead-related health data.
| | | | | Use SafetySuzy10FEDTC at checkout to get 10% off of any of our health and safety courses. Don't forget that our loyal customers get 15% off, so please get in touch if you'd like to find out more. | | | | | | | Study Highlights Elevated Risk of Hearing Loss in Construction Workers | | | |
A NIOSH study analyzing data from over 1.3 million workers found that construction workers are more susceptible to hearing loss compared to other industries, with 23% of the nearly 27,000 construction workers tested showing signs of hearing impairment.
Key sectors such as highway and bridge construction reported the highest rates, reaching up to 28%. To combat this, NIOSH recommends using quieter equipment, maintaining machinery to reduce noise, and implementing administrative controls to limit exposure.
Emphasis is also placed on proper use of personal protective gear and safety measures against chemical exposure to prevent further hearing damage.
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OSHA Courses (Online & In-person): - AHERA/OSHA Asbestos Awareness
- OSHA/NYSDOL 4-hr Apprentice Asbestos Awareness (NEW) - Online
- OSHA Respirator User
- OSHA Crystalline Silica Standard for Workers
- OSHA Hazard Communication
- OSHA Hazard Communication plus NYS Right-to-Know
- Covid-19 Awareness Course
- Respirator Hierarchy
- Lead in Construction Awareness Course
- Mold in Construction Awareness Course
- Blood-borne Pathogen 4-Hour Course
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Course
- March 11, 13, 20, & April 1 6:45 AM - 3:30 PM East Meadow
Mold Courses: - Keeping Your Family Safe Mold Awareness - Online
- Mold in Construction Awareness Course - Online
- NYS Mold Assessment Initial
- Apr 28 - May 1, 8:30 AM - 5:45 PM FEDTC's Syosset
- NYS Mold Remediation/Supervisor Initial
- Apr 28 - Apr 30, 8:30 AM - 5:45 PM FEDTC's Syosset
- NYS Mold Abatement Worker Initial
- Apr 28 - Apr 29, 8:30 AM - 5:45 PM FEDTC's Syosset
- NYS Mold Refresher
- Mar 21, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM FEDTC's Syosset
- Apr 4, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
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Asbestos Courses: - AHERA/OSHA Asbestos Awareness Course - Online
- OSHA/NYSDOL 4-hr Apprentice Asbestos Awareness (NEW) - Online
- NYCDEP Handler/Supervisor Exam Prep - Online
- NYCDEP Investigator Exam Prep - Online
- AHERA LEA's Designated Person Training - Online
- NYS Asbestos Inspector Initial
- Mar 25-27, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- NYS/NYC Asbestos Supervisor Initial
- Apr 7-11, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM Northport Power Plant
- NYS Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Initial
- Apr 14-15, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM FEDTC's Syosset
- NYS/NYC Asbestos Inspector Refresher
- Mar 28, Apr 24, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
- Apr 18, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's SYosset
- Asbestos Management Planner Refresher
- Apr 24, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Operations & Maintenance Refresher
- Mar 17, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Suffolk County
- Asbestos Project Designer Refresher
- Apr 22, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Project Monitor Refresher
- Mar 24, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Suffolk County
- Apr 21, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Project Sampling Technician Refresher
- Mar 24, 8:00 AM -12:00 PM, Suffolk County
- Apr 21, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Supervisor Refresher
- Apr 17, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- May 8, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
For the most current schedule and additional courses, please visit Future Environment Designs' website. Please click on the individual courses' link to discover more dates!
| | | | Don't Forget Our Referral Program! If you refer asbestos, indoor air quality, or OSHA training to us we will provide you with a 5% discount on any training you book with us. This would be in addition to any other discounts we provide. Thank you to those who have taken advantage of this! | | | | |
