June 7, 2023

AIR QUALITY ALERT MESSAGE FROM LOCAL ONE

Brothers and Sisters,

As you all know, it is the position of Local One International Union of Elevator Constructors that the safety of our members is of the utmost importance.  We have been in contact with industry stakeholders and monitoring guidance issued regarding the recent air quality concerns in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area arising from the Canadian Wildfires.

Dr. Kenneth Spaeth, Division Chief of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center at Northwell Health has cautioned that if your members must be outside, with the air quality index having a score over 150, then they should be donning N95s. If your members are working in vehicles, windows should be closed, and A/C should be on.  I have contacted Rick Amarosa at EMANY and have recommended and requested that workers be provided with N95 masks upon request.  Surgical masks are not considered to provide enough protection.  It is unclear how long this will last however safety is of the utmost importance.  As per Dr. Spaeth, individuals with underlying heart or lung issues are at increased risk of cardiac and respiratory issues when the air quality index is over 150.  

This website should be used to gauge the risk posed by putting in the zip code or town and seeing the air quality index score for that area.  https://www.airnow.gov

Stay Interested, Involved, and Informed,

Lenny
President and Business Manager
Local One Elevator Constructors