OSHA is working closely with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and its Worker Education and Training Program (WETP). NIEHS has funded worker-training programs since 1987, and OSHA will incorporate best practices identified by their grantees. The goal of these collaborative efforts is to increase worker awareness of the potential hazards that may be present on a disaster site. By doing so, workers will be more motivated to utilize appropriate personal protective equipment, especially respirators, and follow appropriate work and decontamination procedures. It is anticipated that these safeguards, when consistently applied, will reduce workers' injuries and exposures to harmful substances. Mr. Chairman, in addition to my concern for workers at the WTC site, I have personal interest in the short- and long-term effects of exposures because my staff and I spent so much time there. Our Manhattan Area Office was destroyed when the North Tower of the WTC collapsed on our building. During evacuation, our employees were exposed to all of the same potential contaminants in the atmosphere as others who were in lower Manhattan that day. I can say with confidence and with pride that OSHA staff did everything humanly possible to protect the workers during recovery efforts at the WTC site. Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have. Eye and respiratory protection is strongly advised whenever dust or smoke from the rubble occur outside the areas noted above. Fit-checking is needed to assure proper seal. Facial hair can prevent an adequate respirator seal. Entry into confined spaces with unknown or untested atmospheres requires air-supplied respirators. Welders need appropriate eye protection and leathers. Exhibit 1 09/22/01 SAT 20:37 ITX/RX NO $267) |