Region 2 News Release:   NY 221
December 6, 2001
Contact: Randy Wilson
Phone: (212) 337-2319

BUFFALO -- Seventeen safety and health professionals from the Buffalo New York, Area Office of the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration are working in New York City as part of the around-the-clock effort to ensure the safety and health of workers involved in the World Trade Center rescue and recovery effort.

"The aftermath of the attack on America has brought out the best in Americans and the best in OSHA,"said OSHA Assistant Secretary John Henshaw. "In this effort, our people are using their skills to keep recovery workers healthy and safe."

Since the September 11 terrorist attack, OSHA has been working with federal, state and local government agencies to minimize the risks of injury and death to the thousands of workers in lower Manhattan. Six industrial hygienists, seven safety specialists, as well as the Acting OSHA Area Director, an Assistant Area Director, the Compliance Assistance Specialist, and the Whistleblower Investigator from the Buffalo office are part of a contingent of OSHA employees from the New York region who are providing on-site assistance.

Nearly 500 OSHA personnel -- of which more than 200 are from the New York region alone -- are directly involved in the effort. As part of OSHA's role of consultation and assistance, the agency is conducting air monitoring to characterize possible air contaminant exposures; distributing and fit-checking respirators and other personal protective equipment; and assisting in safety monitoring to address the physical safety of construction and rescue personnel on-site.