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Home My WebLink About2002 Aug 16 - Memo from Town Admin. Re: Alleged Safety Hazards '"� o�sY��' TOWN OF YARMC� UTH EOC�TMN �� ; � (v1 .-_ �-� 1146 ROUTE 28 SOUTH YARMOUTT-I MASSACHUSETTS 026644492 O � �'-3 y ,MATTACHEES ��7 Telephone (508) 398-2231, Ext. 271,270 — Fax (508) 398-2365 TOWN � ��R��pA��\6'9(�" ADMINISTRATOR Robert C. Lawton,Jr. �� ' 1� � � � � MEMORANDUM . al�6 t 9 2002 August 16, 2002 HEALTH DEPT. TO: Jim Bxandolini,Building Commissioner � FROM: Peter Johnson-Staub,Assistant Town Adininistrator � SUBJECT: Alleged safety hazaxds at Bass River Golf CouYse Attached is a Ietter xeceived fYom the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety alleging that both the Bass River maintenance building and club house are unsafe structures. We need to send a written Yes�onse b�Se�tembex 4`�'. I have asked Jim Armentrout to contact a structural engineer to inspect the buildings foY structural integrity. We will also need to look into any potential water/mold pxoblems if we fmd water damage. This is an issue that we can discuss when we do the club house inspection scheduled for August 21S`at 2:30pm. Attachment � cc: Jim Armentrout,Director of Golf Opexations ��,Allaire,D�sectoY of Public Works ✓ // � ��..�' �; � ,�a ��._ x�= � alleged safety hazazd 8- ��'= " � Printed on Recycled Paper � THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS � w` � ��"� ,,,T�{ DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVE�,OP��T6 200Z w - W DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFE Y - ' ' OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE / INDOOR AIR QUALITY +�,.. `�'oR ;, ,�� WWW.STATE.MA.US/DOS pqM SVe�. JANE SWIFT ANGELO R. BUONOPANE GOVERNOR DIRECTOR ROBERT J. PREZIOSO DEPUTY DIRECTOFi August 14, 2002 File # 03S-0038 Mr. Robert Lawton Town Administrator Town of Yarmouth Yarmouth Town Hall 1146 Rt. 28 South Yarmouth, MA 02664 Dear Mr. Lawton: The Division of Occupational Safety ("DOS") has been made aware of an alleged health hazard at the workplace maintained by you at the Bass River Golf Course. Pursuant to Mass. Gen. L. ch. 149, section 6, it is the responsibility of DOS to investigate occupational hygiene hazards in the workplace, to recommend controls to eliminate such hazards and to assist counties and municipalities to comply with applicable health regulations. The alleged hazards are as follows: Item No. 1: Both the club house and the maintenance building at the golf course are unsafe structures. This may, at least partially, be due to longstanding water damage to both buildings. We have not determined whether or not the alleged hazards exist in your workplace and we do not plan to conduct an on-site inspection at this time. However, we request that you investigate these alleged hazards and, if necessary, eliminate them. Within fifteen (15) working days of your receipt of this letter, please fill out and send to DOS the attached Investigation Response Form. Please indicate on the form the results of your investigation and, if you determine that the alleged hazard exists, the steps that you have taken to eliminate it. If you are unable to eliminate the hazard within the fifteen (15) day time period, please indicate why and how and when you will eliminate the hazard in the future. If DOS does not receive a response from you within fifteen (15) working days of your receipt of this letter, it may conduct an on-site inspection in order to determine if the alleged hazards have been corrected. 1001 WATERTOWN STREET • WEST NEWTON� MASSACHUSETTS 02465 • TEL: (617)969-7177 • FAX: (617)727-4581 Enclosed is information which may be useful to you while investigating and correcting the alleged hazards. In addition, DOS will assist you if you have any questions concerning this matter. The engineer assigned to this case is Maxine Garbo. Please feel free to contact her at 617-969-7177 if you need any assistance. Sincerely, '�� / '� `�. Robert Kenrick Program Manager Cc: Mr. James Brandolini, Building Commissioner Investigation Response Form Municipal Agency: Bass River Golf Course File # 03S-0038 Engineer Assigned: Maxine Garbo Please complete this form using additional sheets if necessary to document the action(s) already taken or the action(s) to be taken to address the alleged hazard(s). This form must be completed and sent in to the Division of Occupational Safety by the date given in the cover letter. Please include any supporting documentation such as written policies, photographs and/or purchase orders. Item No. Results of your investigation: Response/Corrective Action Taken: Name: Title: Date: Phone: Return To: Robert Kenrick, Program Manager Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety Occupational Hygiene Program 1001 Watertown Street West Newton, MA 02465 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office Use Only Date Case Closed On Site Inspection Needed Initials ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ^ � � THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS r DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WOI�KFORCE DEVELOPMENT � _ = DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY ; � ' OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE / INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROGRAM �� WWW.STATE.MA.US/DOS ve .IANE SWIFT WATER DAMAGED MATERIALS ANGELO R. BUONOPANE GoveRNoa AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY DiaecroR � ROBERT J. PREZIOSO � DEPUTY DIRECTOR The Massachusetts Occupational Hygiene Program provides the following information and recommendations. Water damage to carpeting,ceiling tiles,insulation,and other materials can present problems due to microbial contamination and odor. The source of water causing the damage is a significant factor. Sanitary plumbing leaks are a clear health hazard. Water contaminated by passage through chemically treated materials or from outside puddling areas can have additional impact. Any water damage can result in microbial growth. All that is needed for microbial growth to occur is a substrate,nutrients,wannth,and moisture. Wood,paper, some carpets and carpet backings, and other building materials and furnishings act as both substrate and nutrient. Substrates are surfaces that will trap nutrients such as dead skin cells, food crumbs, dust, dust mites, animal dander, dead insect parts and soil. This "dirt" can also contain the spores and "seeds" for such common microbiological contaminants as molds,fungi,mildews and bacteria. Sufficient moisture and adequate time for growth are often the final ingredients. Light is not always necessary and only moderate warmth(temperatures slightly above freezing)is required. Although odors are often characteristic,they need not be present for problems to occur. Some health effects are dependent upon the airborne concentration of biological matter, the area's environmental conditions and individual susceptibility. Health problems can include headaches, eye and skin irritation, asthma, aggravation of existing respiratory conditions, other typical allergic symptoms,and hypersensitivitypneumonitis. Hypersensitivityand allergic responses can be triggered by very minimal exposure. Although children are often more susceptible than adults,there is evidence that within a contaminated environment occupants can become sensitized and responses may be intensified in individuals who are already sensitized. Simply drying the affected areas seldom works because problems can persist after materials are dry due to residual spores and dead cellulax matter from any microbiological growth. Some materials can be decontaminated readily by thorough cleaning and drying. However,most porous materials,in particular jute backings far carpets, may need replacing. Cleaning of installed carpeting is often unsuccessful due to the difficulty in thoroughly removing cont�mination from both carpet and padding. Some cleaning techniques leave the carpet wet enough,long enough,to allow contamination to reappear: For those areas where moisture is a periodic or a persistent problem, both non-porous surfaces and periodie inspections/cleanings are recommended. If carpeting is necessary, it should be readily removable for cleaning(i.e.carpet tiles,throw rugs). Experts have stated that air or material sampling for microbial contamination,where evidence of gross contamination is clear, is not cost effective. Sarnpling would not result in any change in recommendations for remediation. Contaminated materials need to be removed and steps taken to prevent the reoccurrence of water damage. {Page 1 of 1}Form 378 Reviewed/Revised 10/1997 by MA Div of Occupational Safery Occupational Hygiene Program 'IOO'I WATERTOWN STREET • WEST NEWTON� MASSACHUSETTS �Z46J� • TEL: (617) 969-7177 • FAX: �sy7�727-4581