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Day Two at the PACNY Environmental Conference: Industry Insight, Asbestos Updates, and DOL Dialogue

May 29, 2025 No Comments

The second day of the 2025 Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) 28th Annual Environmental Conference at Turning Stone Resort and Casino built on the momentum of Day One, delivering another impressive lineup of speakers, powerful insights, and meaningful conversations that underscored the challenges — and opportunities — in our industry. The morning opened with a “PACNY – State of the Union” address delivered by PACNY President Kevin Hutton and Vice President Russell C. Vent. Their presentation outlined the association’s accomplishments over the past year, current legislative concerns, and PACNY’s continued commitment to environmental and worker safety advocacy. Their remarks reinforced PACNY’s role as a vital voice for our industry, especially in times of shifting regulatory landscapes. BJ Fungaroli makes several points about why the Asbestos Industry has 125+ yearsNext up was our Keynote Speaker, BJ Fungaroli, President/CEO of Environmental Holdings Group, LLC, who gave a compelling presentation on “The State of the Asbestos Industry.” BJ didn’t hold back — and he didn’t sugarcoat things either. According to him, the asbestos industry isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, BJ emphasized that we’re looking at another 125+ years of work, oversight, and regulation, due to the enormous volume of asbestos still present in our building stock and infrastructure. His presentation was a stark reminder of the long-term responsibility that asbestos professionals must continue to shoulder. BJ Fungaroli discussing automation of the Asbestos Industry Following BJ’s keynote, Linda Reinstein, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, and Brent Kynoch, Environmental Information Association presented “The State of the Asbestos Ban.” Their presentation clarified where things currently stand with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s (EPA’s) risk evaluation process. While we’ve seen progress with Part 1: Chrysotile asbestos, the bigger challenge lies ahead with Part 2: The Supplemental Evaluation, which will include legacy uses and associated disposal of asbestos-containing materials. This upcoming phase could have far-reaching implications for how asbestos is regulated and managed across the U.S. Because of EPA’s footdragging regarding banning all forms of asbestos it is even more important to

A Bitter Birthday: Celebrating NIOSH’s Legacy Amid Uncertain Times

April 28, 2025 No Comments

Today, April 28, marks the anniversary of the day NIOSH first opened its doors in 1971, following the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Congress created NIOSH — the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health — to “assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions.” For more than half a century, NIOSH has stood as a cornerstone of worker protection. Its research has helped shape critical safety standards for asbestos, silica, lead, heat stress, mental health, and countless other hazards across industries. From construction sites to healthcare settings, from manufacturing floors to environmental consulting offices, NIOSH’s work has been integral to safeguarding the health and lives of American workers. But this year’s celebration is bittersweet — and frankly, alarming. In a stunning and deeply concerning move, mass layoffs have gutted key NIOSH research and education programs. Overnight, the agency’s capacity to investigate workplace hazards, develop scientific guidelines, and educate the next generation of safety professionals has been drastically reduced. The consequences of this cannot be overstated. Without NIOSH’s leadership: Standards for silica, a deadly airborne hazard linked to silicosis and lung cancer, are now at risk of stagnating. Protections against lead exposure, which affects the brain and nervous system, could weaken. Efforts to address heat-related illness, a growing crisis as climate change intensifies, are left vulnerable. Momentum around mental health in the workplace, a long-ignored pillar of occupational safety, may lose critical support just when it’s finally gaining ground. Occupational safety and health cannot afford to stand still — and it certainly cannot afford to move backward. Every advance we’ve made — every reduced injury rate, every improved standard, every saved life — was built on a foundation of science, research, and proactive leadership.

Insights and Updates from Day 1 of PACNY’s Environmental Conference: A Must-Attend Event for Industry Leaders

March 30, 2025 No Comments

The Professional Abatement Contractors of New York’s (PACNY’s) 28th Annual Environmental Conference started with an action-packed first day (February 28th, 2025) at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York, setting the stage for a dynamic exchange of ideas, regulatory updates, and thought leadership. Attendees were treated to a robust lineup of expert speakers covering various critical topics, from asbestos and lead regulations to safety leadership and mental health in the workplace. The morning session began with side-by-side presentations with Frank Ehrenfield, from Eurofins, and Tom Laubenthal, from TGL Consulting, Inc., delivering an essential update on “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Rule Update from November 2024″ in the Mohawk room. Their presentation discussed the EPA’s November 2024, published new Lead-Based Paint rules regarding various definitions, dust levels for risk determination, and “clearance” values (which are now called “action levels”). Once again, these values will be lowered to further lower risks to children in pre-1978 target housing and child-occupied facilities. The new dust values are very low to “at reporting limits” (similar to a detection limit for simplicity), and the presentation also described in terms of the difficulties that may exist for some National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP)-accredited labs, in meeting reporting limits. All stakeholders must read these regulations to understand the details and various applicability dates (see Lead and Environmental Hazards Association (LEHA) fact sheet). While in the Cayuga room, Mary Parish, Principal Worker’s Compensation Examiner in the office of the Advocate for Business, presented “Protecting Yourself and Your Team,” shifting the focus to workers’ compensation and the legal framework protecting both employers and workers. A key point from her talk was a reminder to make sure you are a certificate holder on your subcontractor’s workmen’s compensation insurance. The next speakers in the Mohawk Room, David Duford, from CanAm

The Role of Asbestos Inspections in Construction Safety: Don’t Miss the Asbestos Inspection Panel at PACNY’s Environmental Conference!

February 18, 2025 No Comments

In the construction world, one of the most pressing concerns for worker safety is the potential asbestos exposure. This hazardous material, once commonly used in various building materials for its fire-resistant and other properties, has been linked to serious health risks, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure remains a significant threat, especially in older buildings undergoing renovation or demolition. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set strict guidelines to minimize this danger. Still, compliance hinges on one key factor: thorough and accurate asbestos inspections. To explore the intricacies of asbestos inspections, Angelo Garcia, III of Future Environment Designs, Inc., will be moderating a distinguished panel at PACNY’s 2025 Environmental Conference on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The panel will dive deep into the importance and differences in asbestos inspections from various perspectives. This includes Tom Laubenthal of TGL Consulting and ASTM E2356 Chairman, who will discuss the ASTM asbestos inspection standard, Chris Alonge now with Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) who will provide insights from an owner’s perspective, Marc Rutstein from Environmental Consulting & Management Services, who will offer a consultant’s viewpoint and highlight the differences between NYCDEP and NYSDOL inspections, and Matt Brooks from International Asbestos Removal (IAR), who will speak on the contractor’s perspective. Asbestos inspections play a vital role in identifying materials that may contain asbestos before they are disturbed. This proactive approach not only prevents worker exposure but also ensures that proper abatement procedures are followed. A well-executed asbestos inspection is the first line of defense against the release of airborne asbestos fibers, which can be deadly when inhaled. Understanding the Importance of Homogeneous Areas At the heart of every asbestos inspection is the process of determining whether a material is classified as a surfacing material, thermal system insulation, or miscellaneous material. Once the material type is identified, the inspector must establish whether the materials are

OSHA 2024 Reporting Requirements and 2025 Penalty Adjustments: Key Compliance Guidelines for Employers

January 20, 2025 39 Comments

As we enter 2025, it’s time to once again focus on an important requirement from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Employers with 10 or more employees are required to post the OSHA 300A form from February 1 to April 30, 2025. This annual posting ensures transparency in workplace injury and illness data for the previous year. In addition, many employers must electronically submit the OSHA 300A data by March 2, 2025. OSHA 300A Form The OSHA 300A form is a summary of the injury and illness information that was recorded in the OSHA 300 log throughout the past year (2024). It plays a key role in workplace safety, helping employers analyze and reduce hazards in their operations. It’s important to remember that COVID-19 is considered a recordable and reportable illness if it is confirmed, work-related, and results in days away from work. In these cases, it would be logged as a respiratory illness. However, if an employee requests that their name not appear on the log for privacy reasons, employers must comply as per 29 CFR 1904.29(b)(7)(vi) and treat it as a privacy case. OSHA 300 must be filled out as the year progresses If you need guidance in completing the OSHA 300A form, we’ve got resources to help you out. We partnered with Keevily Spero & Whitelaw to create a webinar that walks you through the steps for both the OSHA 300 and 300A forms. You can find the webinar on our YouTube Channel or watch the video below. Remember, covered employers are required to maintain accurate records of serious occupational injuries and illnesses and tally the totals at the end of each year for the OSHA 300A form. The data should be used by employers to evaluate workplace safety and make improvements to reduce risks. Keep in mind that the OSHA 300A form must be posted

Future Environment Designs wishes all of you a Merry Holidays and a Happy New Year! EPA delivers an early holiday present!

December 28, 2024 3 Comments

As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, we reflect on 2024 and how it has changed us. 2024 has been a good year for Future Environment Designs which helps to keep the business viable as we enter our 37th year in business. We are still working on a balance between the company and our personal life. Which at times can be so intertwined. Future Environment Designs is looking forward to 2025 as many of our clients have asked for initial courses in the coming year and we look forward to assisting them with their needs. We will continue to service the other areas of the State (such as Plattsburgh, Rochester, Syracuse, Hudson Valley, and Buffalo) looking for quality training. Thank you to all our clients for helping us maintain a 4.8 rating out of 5 for another year! Your positive feedback means a lot to us. If you’d like to share your experience, please visit our course reviews at CourseCheck. We look forward to continuing our work on the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) as a member of the Board of Directors (if reelected), event, and communications committees. In addition, some indoor air quality consulting work has also come through the door for the New Year we look forward to meeting those needs, too. Anthony’s Restaurant in Plattsburgh, NY On a more global note, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on December 3, 2024, that it has determined that disturbing and handling asbestos associated with legacy uses, and asbestos as a chemical substance, poses an unreasonable risk to human health. EPA’s Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos – Part 2 of the Risk Evaluation for Asbestos, EPA considered chrysotile (serpentine), crocidolite (riebeckite), amosite (cummingtonite-grunerite), anthophyllite, tremolite, actinolite, and Libby Amphibole Asbestos (and its tremolite,

Conference Season Starts in 3 Months Save the Date: PACNY 2025 Environmental Conference & EIA 2025 National Conference

November 22, 2024 2 Comments

With the end of 2024 fast approaching, we are looking ahead to 2025. We are excited to announce the dates for the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York’s (PACNY’s) 2025 Environmental Conference, taking place on Thursday, February 27th, and Friday, February 28th, 2025, at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. This is your chance to participate in the most educational and informative environmental abatement conference in New York State, known for delivering critical insights on the industry’s evolving challenges. Long Island Attendees of the 2024 PACNY Conference This year’s PACNY Conference will feature multiple simultaneous sessions to cover a wide range of topics relevant to abatement and environmental professionals. We are bringing in exciting speakers to address pressing issues facing businesses connected to environmental management today. Some of the speakers already committed include Tom Laubenthal, of TGL Consulting, Inc.; Chris Alonge, PE, of Dormitory Authority of the State of NewYork (DASNY); J. Brent Kynoch, of the Environmmental Information Association (EIA); Dr. David Duoford, CIH, CSP, CHMM, of CanAm Environmental Safety; and Marc Rutstein, of Environmental Consulting & Management Services, Inc. Whether you’re dealing with asbestos, mold, lead-based paint, or general regulatory compliance, there will be sessions tailored to meet your needs. Meet the NYSDOL regulators at the PACNY Environmental Conference For PACNY’s sponsors, this is a unique opportunity to engage with over 200 attendees from across the abatement industry. With networking events built into the schedule, you’ll have the perfect chance to introduce your products and services to a captive audience of professionals eager to learn about the latest innovations in the field. The PACNY Conference Sponsors in the Exhibition Hall EIA National Conference & Exhibition And don’t forget, right on the heels of the PACNY event, the EIA 2025 National Conference & Exhibition will be held March 9-12, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in Jacksonville, Florida. Over the past 40 years, the EIA has solidified its reputation as a gathering place for the best minds in asbestos management, mold remediation,

Asbestos Floor Tile Debate Results

July 12, 2017 9 Comments

… … … This debate regarding asbestos floor tiles started at the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York’s (PACNY’s) 2017 Environmental Conference. At the conference,