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P201 (7/04) DIVISION OF DIVISION OF DIVISION OF DIVISION OF DIVISION OF SAFETY & HEAL SAFETY & HEAL SAFETY & HEAL SAFETY & HEAL SAFETY & HEALTH TH TH TH TH George E. Pataki, Governor Linda Angello, Commissioner Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. www.labor.state.ny.us 1-800-HIRE-992 installations where radioactive materials are used by industry and companies that temporarily store low-level radioactive waste before it is shipped to proper disposal sites. The unit also maintains a registry of industrial laser device users and issues competency certificates to individuals that operate low-intensity laser devices. These devices can be used in occupa- tions ranging from precision manufacturing to the operation of laser-light shows. HAZARD ABATEMENT/SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING AND EDUCATION These Division of Safety and Health employees work with the Occupational Safety and Health Hazard Abatement Board — a five- member board appointed by the Governor — to award grants to local public employers. These grants cover 75 percent of the cost of capital projects necessary to correct workplace hazards cited by the PESH Bureau staff. Hazard Abatement Board grants also cover 75 percent of the cost of capital projects undertaken in response to PESH consultations requested by public employers. In addition to awarding funds, DOSH staff also assist the Hazard Abatement Board with the review of grant applications and the award of occupational safety and health training and education grants. Grants support programs that provide occupational safety and health training for public and private employers, labor unions, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and trade associa- tions. They provide training for managers and employees on how to avoid such hazards as asbestos and toxic chemicals, injuries from machinery and on construction sites, biological hazards in hospitals and laboratories, pesticides and fire hazards. In addition, training programs teach people how to locate potential hazards in the workplace, methods of collecting and assessing information on exposure and ways to control or eliminate hazards. WORKPLACE CONSULTATION The Consultative Services Bureau provides on-site guidance to private employers covered by OSHA. This is a free service available to businesses at their request. The program helps businesses determine whether they are in compliance with federal safety and health standards and shows them how to eliminate hazards that are found. A company that corrects hazards voluntarily and establishes a safety and health program may be eligible for a one-year exemption from federal OSHA inspections. ENGINEERING SERVICES The Engineering Services Unit is a support arm of the Division. The unit’s responsibilities include: • Developing regulations to conduct safety and health activities mandated by law. • Reviewing variance requests. • Issuing approvals for materials and devices required under the state Labor Law and department regulations. • Reviewing design plans submitted by public employers to the Hazard Abatement Board. • Reviewing plans for places of public assembly, elevators, ventilating systems where radioactive materials are used and other installations regulated by the Safety and Health Division. ---PAGE BREAK--- Put us to work for you. The Division of Safety & Health (DOSH) of the New York State Department of Labor administers a variety of programs to protect the public and working men and women from hazards, accidents and injuries that can occur in many different environments. This pamphlet will help you learn about the programs and activities of the department’s Division of Safety and Health, which assist employers, workers, and the general public. DOSH provides licensing, training, and consultation services in addition to code enforcement efforts that safeguard workers on and off the job. Safety and health programs cover job-related hazards ranging from asbestos to radioactive materials. Division inspectors ensure public safety at amusement parks and ski facilities. They protect people who work in buildings, on bridges, and inside tunnels. They assure that conditions are safe for people who perform high-wire acts, handle explosives, and operate laser-light shows. Safety and health programs help employers to identify and correct hazards that trigger workplace accidents, and injuries. DOSH also funds training programs that educate and inform both labor and management about workplace safety. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND HEALTH (PESH) The Department’s Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) Program oversees the workplace protection of public employees at the state and local level. Protection guidelines are determined by standards set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Adminis- tration (OSHA), which enforces these guidelines in the private sector. While similar hazards can occur in both public and private sector jobs, the PESH Program also addresses safety and health areas that are of specific concern to public employees. Public sector work sites range from subway tunnels and public landfills to hospitals and office buildings. PESH Program staff investigate workplaces and inspect equipment, work practices and procedures. Public employers that The bureau reduces asbestos hazards to the public by licens- ing contractors and certifying workers who remove, enclose, encapsulate or disturb asbestos or materials that contain asbestos. To ensure compliance, the bureau conducts investigations, inspects current/completed projects and prosecutes parties who violate the law. BOILER SAFETY The Boiler Safety Bureau is responsible for the safe operation of boilers in apartment houses and businesses throughout the state, except in New York City, Buffalo, and White Plains. The bureau inspects boilers in buildings that house six or more families. The bureau does not inspect boilers that are insured and inspected by insurance companies, but it does certify inspectors and monitors their operation. MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH The Mine Safety Unit provides safety and health training for workers in mining industries in New York State. There are 1,700 public and private employers that engage in metal and non-metal mining in New York State, which include the sand and gravel, concrete, cement, crushed stone and mineral industries. Under a contract between the New York State Depart- ment of Labor and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administra- tion (MSHA), the unit instructs mine workers and management in safe work practices, and certifies mine safety training instructors. RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH The Radiological Health Unit helps protect people against the danger of exposure to radioactive materials and hazards from laser energy. The unit licenses and regulates companies and organizations that use radiation from radioactive materials and medical or industrial X-ray machines, (such as radio-pharmaceutical firms, commercial medical laboratories, or biotechnology firms), violate PESH laws receive compliance orders and can be assessed civil penalties for non-compliance. Program staff also provide safety and health consultation services to public employers. INDUSTRY INSPECTION The Industry Inspection Bureau enforces public safety and health provisions of New York State Law and some aspects of workplace protection that are not handled by OSHA. Enforcement activities include: • New York State’s Right-to-Know Law. • Safe conditions in places of public assembly (except New York City and certain other communities). This includes catering halls, and racetracks. • Proper assembly of amusement devices and temporary structures at carnivals, fairs and amusement parks outside New York City. • Elevators in factories and stores outside New York City. • Protection of window cleaners and aerial performers. • Safe operation of ski resorts, lifts and other passenger tramways. The bureau also licenses or issues certificates involving: • Asbestos contractors and workers. • Crane operators. • Possession and transportation of explosives. • Handling, transportation or use of radioactive materials. Licenses and certificates issued by the bureau help guarantee safe workplaces and ensure that workers follow proper procedures to protect the public as well as employees. ASBESTOS CONTROL The Asbestos Control Bureau protects the public from hazards related to asbestos and materials containing this carcinogenic substance.