Asbestos Removal News
-
Tips for Building Owners and Operators to Help Prevent Costly Water Damage from Frozen Pipes
Property owners and operators deal with countless burst pipes due to freezing during the cold winter months. The potential damage to a building from a burst pipe is significant. Not only can it disrupt building operations, water can ruin building materials, belongings, furnishing, and can even result in structural damage in some cases. Water and moisture can also allow for the growth of mold ...
-
EPA Offers New Lead-Safe Work Practice Resources to Home Renovation Companies and DIYers in Puerto Rico
In November, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it had launched the Renovation Lead-Safe Media Kit to prevent lead exposure when performing and promoting renovation, repair and painting (RRP) projects on homes built before 1978. The materials are designed for DIYers and contractors that provide renovation services. EPA’s new media kit contains: Introductory Text: A ...
-
New NIOSH Study Examines Work-Related COVID-19 Exposure and Resources to Protect Workers in Puerto Rico
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently announced a new study conducted by the agency. The study examined the differences in exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 among people who worked outside of the home in non-healthcare settings. NIOSH researchers partnered with six states to collect information about workers who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between ...
-
Construction Projects in Occupied Buildings and Indoor Environmental Quality Concerns
At some point, almost every commercial and institutional property will undergo some type of remodeling, renovation, or construction activity during the building’s usable lifetime. In most cases, property owners and managers do not have the ability or luxury to completely or partially vacate these buildings slated for improvement projects. Construction activities in an occupied building ...
-
Children’s Health Month in Puerto Rico and Exposure Risks to Indoor and Outdoor Environmental Hazards
Children are more vulnerable to contact with various chemical and microbial substances due to differences in behavior and biology that can lead to greater exposure and/or unique windows of susceptibility during development. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that children’s nervous, immune response, digestive and other bodily systems are still developing and are more ...
-
National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month and Resources for Building Owners and Managers
National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month takes place each October. The term indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air in any type of building environment. Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) so indoor air quality can have a significant impact on their comfort, health, and even productivity. EPA also states that ...
-
National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month Discussed in New Online Video
The IAQ Video Network and Cochrane & Associates announced the release of their latest educational video today. Their newest production discusses National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month, which takes place during the month of October. “We spend most of our time inside our homes, businesses, schools and other built environments, so the indoor air we breathe can have a profound impact ...
-
Health and Safety Resources for Building Owners and Managers in Florida Following Hurricane Ian
Across Florida, millions of residents are without power the day after Hurricane Ian left a path of destruction in large parts of the state. The Category 4 hurricane has been described by Governor DeSantis as “basically a 500-year flood event.” Powerful winds, storm surge, and widespread flooding have damaged countless properties across the state. In the hurricane’s aftermath, ...
-
Assessing Property Damage and Mitigating Exposure Risks in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Fiona
Governor Pedro Pierluisi described the damage suffered in Puerto Rico due to Hurricane Fiona as catastrophic. In response to the natural disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the Government of Puerto Rico to supplement the local government’s response efforts to the emergency conditions resulting from the ...
-
National Preparedness Month in Puerto Rico and Resources for Businesses and Institutions
September has been designated National Preparedness Month (NPM) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since 2004. The annual event and month-long observance is designed to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for a wide range of disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The theme for 2022 is A Lasting Legacy. Businesses and institutions in Puerto Rico and ...
-
Asbestos, Lead and Other Exposure Hazards Encountered by Firefighters and Fire Damage Cleanup Crews
Firefighters play a crucial role in protecting public safety and the property of people, businesses and institutions. Responding to fires and emergencies, their work can be dangerous and these dangers can include more than just flames and extreme heat. Building fires could also expose firefighters to a number of hazardous substances. For example, the Board of Health in Orange, Massachusetts ...
-
Multi-Tenant Building Fires and Exposure Risks Frequently Encountered Afterwards
Millions of people across the United States work and live in multi-tenant buildings. These include office buildings, high-rises, strip centers, shopping malls, apartments, condominiums, and numerous other types of property. Tragically, each year, many of these buildings suffer various forms of fire damage. The National Fire Protection Association reports that as recently as 2020, there were ...
-
Identifying and Mitigating Asbestos Exposure Risks to Protect Workers and Building Occupants
Thousands of different building materials and products containing asbestos were once commonly used in the United States. This went on for decades and some of these materials can still be found in schools, hospitals, office buildings, factories, and even ships. The mere presence of an asbestos-containing material is not an immediate threat necessarily. However, if the material has become friable ...
-
Asbestos Exposure Risks Faced by Plumbers in Puerto Rico
For decades, thousands of building materials and products that were used for construction in Puerto Rico and across the region contained asbestos. These materials included many used for various plumbing applications in residential and commercial buildings of all types. Unfortunately, many of these asbestos-containing materials can still be found, potentially posing a risk to building occupants. ...
-
Resources to Protect Building Occupants and Keep Businesses Open during Hurricane Season
In just over a week, hurricane season officially begins in the Atlantic and Caribbean. In the Eastern Pacific, the season already began on May 15th and both hurricane seasons don’t end until November 30th. Each year, hurricanes and tropical storms cause billions of dollars in property damage. While some of the damage is unavoidable, having a plan in place and knowing who to call to keep a ...
-
Building Safety Month Resources in Puerto Rico and the Role of Indoor Environmental Quality
The 42nd annual Building Safety Month takes place this May. The month of recognition is celebrated in Puerto Rico and across the rest of the United States. The theme for 2022 is “Safety for All: Building Codes in Action.” Building Safety Month is supported by the nonprofit International Code Council and many partners. A major area of focus during the event includes educating ...
-
Protecting Firefighters and Fire Damage Cleanup Crews in Puerto Rico from Exposure Risks to Hazardous Materials
Firefighters in Puerto Rico play a crucial role in protecting public safety and the property of people, businesses and institutions. Responding to fires and emergencies, their work can be dangerous. These dangers include more than just flames and extreme heat as most fire emergencies could also expose firefighters to a number of hazardous substances. The National Institute for Occupational ...
-
Common Indoor Environmental Quality Issues Associated with Commercial Property Damage Claims
Billions of dollars are paid out each year to settle commercial property damage claims. These claims are often due to damage caused by water, fire, smoke, and wind. Quite often, the damage from any one of these leaves behind visible signs, but they can also create potential indoor environmental quality (IEQ) hazards that many business owners and property managers may not recognize. These ...
-
Workers Memorial Day and the Importance of Occupational Health and Safety Programs in Puerto Rico
On April 28th, Puerto Rico and the rest of the United States will observe Workers Memorial Day. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that the annual day of recognition was established to recognize workers who died or suffered from exposures to hazards at work. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Workers Memorial Day is a time ...
-
Businesses Owners and Property Managers in Puerto Rico Prepare for Hurricane Season
While the Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t officially start until June 1st, Hurricane Preparedness Week takes place in just a few weeks. May 1st through the 7th are the 2022 dates for this year’s Hurricane Preparedness Week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reminds everyone that lives in hurricane-prone areas, such as Puerto Rico, to be ready for hurricane ...
Need help finding the right suppliers? Try XPRT Sourcing. Let the XPRTs do the work for you