The Board of Trustees hereby finds that exposure to airborne asbestos
fibers and particles in the air has been linked by reputable medical and scientific
authorities to a significant increase in the incidence of certain diseases
and that substantial amounts of materials containing asbestos have been used
in buildings for fireproofing, insulation, soundproofing, decorative and other
purposes. The Board further finds that a major cause of asbestos becoming
airborne is due to the performance of building renovation, repair and demolition
without adequate adherence to procedures for safeguarding workers and the
general public by persons who have not received adequate training in the handling
of materials containing asbestos. It is therefore the purpose of this chapter
to safeguard the public health and safety by requiring that workers who handle
asbestos or materials containing asbestos in the course of constructing, repairing,
renovating or demolishing buildings within the village, as well as persons
who supervise such workers, receive appropriate training. It is further the
intent of the Board that the requirements of this chapter shall be in addition
to, and not in lieu of, any training or certification requirements imposed
on such persons under the laws of New York State or under the rules and regulations
of the New York State Commissioners of Labor or Health.
The following terms, when used in this chapter, shall mean the following:
APPROVED ASBESTOS SAFETY PROGRAM
A program approved by the State of New York or by the City of New
York, providing training in the handling and use of asbestos and asbestos
material, education concerning safety and health risks inherent in such handling
and use and training in techniques for minimizing exposure of the public to
asbestos fibers.
ASBESTOS
Any naturally occurring hydrated mineral silicate separable into
commercially usable fibers, including chrysotile (serpentine), amosite (cummingtonite-grunerite),
crocidolite (riebeckite), tremolite, anthrophyllite and actinolite.
ASBESTOS PROJECT
Work undertaken by a contractor which involves the installation,
removal, encapsulation, application or enclosure of any asbestos or asbestos
removal or the disturbance of friable asbestos.
CONTRACTOR
The state, any political subdivision of the state, a public authority
or any other governmental agency or instrumentality thereof, self-employed
person, company, unincorporated association, firm, partnership or corporation
and any owner or operator thereof, which engages in an asbestos project or
employs persons engaged in an asbestos project.
FRIABLE
That condition of crumbled, pulverized, powdered, crushed or exposed
asbestos which is capable of being released into the air by hand pressure.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be punishable
for each violation by a fine not to exceed $250 or by imprisonment for a period
not to exceed 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.