Brownfield Site Visits An Assessment of Safety and Health Hazards Johanna Hollingsworth, MPH HCI-ATL, LLC. Germantown, MD May 7, 2008

2 Purpose of Brownfields Visits  Identify the types of work operations performed at Brownfield sites  Identify existing and potential safety and health hazards at the sites  Provide compliance guidance and corrective actions to the sites

3 Background of Sites Visited  Visited two sites that were previous industrial facility locations A manufacturing site for aluminum consumer and industrial products; later a car and materials storage location A manufacturing site for steel vehicle frames among other steel automotive products

4 Conditions and Considerations  Site Operations and Hazardous Conditions  Safety & Health Considerations for Forthcoming Site Operations  Additional Considerations

Site Operations and Hazardous Conditions

6 Building Demolition  Lack of an engineering survey prior to demolition  Materials dropped outside of structure without chutes or alternative effective protection

7 Fall Protection During Building Demolition  Wall openings unprotected  Improperly constructed guardrails  Floor holes not guarded or improperly guarded  Falling object protection not provided  Access stairways not maintained in safe condition

8 Improper Floor Cover No Fall Protection Site Visit Photographs

9 Material Handling – Heavy Equipment  Noise exposure likely exceed permissible exposure limits  Eye protection necessary for flying materials (site in compliance)

10 Electrical Equipment  Cords frayed or worn

11 Hazardous Substances  Heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and arsenic  Volatile chemicals such as benzene and toluene  Organic compounds such as PCBs in water pits and soil  Asbestos in building materials and electrical components

Safety & Health Considerations Forthcoming Site Operations

13 Protection of Employee Entrances  Sidewalk sheds/canopies to protect against falling objects during building demolition

14 Removal of Building Footers  Support systems may be necessary during excavation to protect employees

15 Rock Crushing Operations (Crushing of demolished building materials)  Guarding of mechanical hazards  Implementation of lockout/tagout procedures  Protection of employees from excessive noise and dust (silica/ nuisance) levels

16 Removal of In-ground Concrete Pits  Potential excavation hazards and need for structural support to protect workers  Potential confined space hazards

17 Removal of Concrete Slabs  Protection of employees from excessive noise levels  Protection of employees from flying objects resulting from excavation hammer and other heavy equipment operations

18 Underground Storage Tank Removal  Protection of workers from excavation hazards (shielding, benching, sloping)  Use and selection of proper rigging equipment  Protection of nearby utility poles and railway lines

Additional Considerations

20 Protection of Public Streets and Pedestrians  Building demolition potential impacts city street and sidewalks  Consideration for traffic and pedestrian stoppage

21 Potential Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure  Illicit drug use in buildings  Exposure to blood or OPIM during trash removal and cleanup should be considered

22 Layout of Work Operations  Size of the site is restrictive  Consider layout of operations to enable safety of workers on foot  To the extent possible, limit backing of heavy equipment to reduce operator blind spots  Communicate locations of entrances and exits and flow of work operations to on-site workers

23 Workplace Violence  Illicit drug use and trespassing  Procedures for handling such instances should be addressed with site workers

24 First Aid Care  If designated first aid provider onsite, then proper training of provider and supplies must be available  Designated first aid providers must be protected from bloodborne pathogen hazards