This issue of NYSWDA's newsletter will cover events over the past few months.  This has been exciting times for NYSWDA as we moved towards becoming a stand alone 501 3(c) organization, see message from James below.

We have several trainings planned and scheduled for the network, including 1 day LSW trainings for new staff, the 1 day EPA Refresher courses, upcoming training on maintenance of your blowing machines plus Bacharach training on maintenance and calibration of equipment. ( see training section of newsletter).

Our materials procurement is now published on the website.   This year we spent a great deal of time formatting the 300 plus spreadsheets that comprise the state wide procurement.  We have made every effort to make the page breaks work for your printing.  Please let us know if you have problems with the process or any of the venders.   See section below for more details.

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PPM - DHCR is looking for input on the PPM revisions.  Now is the time for you to submit comments on changes to this document that you feel would enhance the WAP program.  Submit comments to NYSWDA via email and we will make sure your voice is heard.

POI Insurance

NYSWDA has obtained a great price on POI insurance for agencies and their sub-contractors as explained at the presentations in early March by staff at the NID meetings.

As of this newsletter, BC Environmental has written quotes for 21 policies in NY with an average price of $1,700- $1,850

As you are aware DOE and DHCR requires this insurance be obtained by sub-contractors that do work for agencies.  The process of getting these sub-contractors up to speed with this issue will take some time since the application for this insurance requires that all employees (both the agencies employees and the employees of the sub-contractors) have certificates of one-day Lead Safe Weatherization training. 

If you have not yet visited our pages on the POI Insurance Click Here. 
If you or your subcontractor needs assistance, please have them call Randi

Materials Procurement

The "Statewide Materials Bid"  is now posted on the website.  Click Here for the index page.  As mentioned, we have tried to format the pages for better printing and finding of items.  We also have links to the fridge manufacturers pages for your reference on dimensions etc.

We are currently working on the air conditioner, dishwasher and lighting bids.  They will be published shortly.

We will be polling the network plus have a committee review the process this fall for next years contract period.  We would like to get items that are poor quality or not used by the network removed from the process.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES RELATED TO THE STATEWIDE BID, THAT YOU CONTACT US FOR RESOLVE. 

If you have any questions, please contact Randi at 518-453-9008 x22 or e-mail her at Randi@NYSWDA.org

As you may have heard, NYSWDA is now a stand alone association with our own employees.  We will still be coordinating and working closely with NYSCAA but moving forward into new territory.  It has been a busy time to get everything in place be be in full compliance as a 501 3(c) organization and we want to thank Dan Maskin and the NYSCAA board for all of their support in our efforts to grow as an association. 

MEMBERSHIP DUES - As a new organization we are unable to obtain a line of credit which poses a problem if there is a delay in contracts at the state level.  We therefore are encouraging members to get dues submitted as soon as possible.  Remember our dues fee are suggested fees and you can voluntary pay what ever you feel is reasonable.  If your subcontractors are interested in joining, please let us know.

For the 04/05 contract period NYSWDA will be delivering the following for the network:

• Enhancing and updating the state-wide materials procurement (will be looking for your input to make this product better)
• Providing trainings to enhance the network
• Maintaining the OSHA NID for the network
• Providing OSHA templates and trainings with the OSHA Alliance Program
• We will be developing this year a complete WAP Directors Manual.  This project will be produce a much needed manual for new directors and hopefully will have item all can use.
• We hope to produce a separate page on our website for each agency.  This will give you a place to let the network know how your program is structured, pictures of staff with listing of their certifications etc.  Will be a good place to enhance your staffs moral with their accomplishments displayed on the web
• NYSWDA will be developing a hands on training center in Syracuse. 

We hope to serve the network and welcome suggestions.

We have scheduled a series of one-day lead safe weatherization trainings throughout the State.  This training is required for new staff as well as staff of your sub-contractors.  If you would like us to bring this training to your agency let james or earl know.  We will arrange the training if we have at least 10 - 15 attendees.  This may require space to accommodate a couple of your neighboring agencies and their sub-contractors.

• 4/28 Fulmont Community Action Agency, Inc
• 5/3 Clinton County Joint Council For Ec. Opp. 
• 5/13 Chautauqua County, Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc
• 5/24 Westchester/Putnam Weatherization (Elmsford Office)

Click Here for the Registration Page.  We still have space available at the above trainings.  Check our calendar often as we are in the process of adding additional trainings

NYSWDA - 1 Day EPA Refresher Courses presented by ATC

This training is for your EPA Certified staff whose 3 year certification will expire this year.  NYSWDA is organizing the trainings with Steve from ATC presenting the class.  We have scheduled the following trainings

• 4/29 Albany - Holiday Inn, 100 Nott Terrace, Schenectady
• 5/5 Rochester, ABC CAP
• 5/6 Syracuse - PEACE
• 5/26 Bronx - AEA Training Center

Click Here for the Registration Page.  You need to register ASAP as class sizes will be held to 25 people.  We will be offering the courses to those whose certification run out in 04 and put others on a wait list if the classes fill up

Good news:  According to EPA staff whose certification does not expire until April 28, 2006 can take the refresher and the 3 year re-up will be added to their current time which would mean they would have 5 years of certification.  Here is exact language from EPA Memo - "Applying early will not cause you to lose any time from your certification.  The re-certification expiration date will be based on your current certification's expiration date.  The refresher training will not be acceptable if it is taken earlier than two years before ;your current certification expiration."

Click here for our training calendar

Maintenance Training on Cellulose Blowing Machines

Bonded Insulation Company has agreed to offer training on the use and maintenance of Intecs Force I and II's plus Krendal machines.  There is an expense to provide these trainings, therefore we need to know who would attend such a training and what machines you use so we can have the courses designed to teach to the equipment the network is using.  Please take a minute to answer the following survey.  Click Here for survey which will open in a new window.

LEAD NID

This years lead-in-air monitoring data resulted in an ‘official’ NID that complies with OSHA regulations.  Over 320 jobs (500+ hours) were monitored in 12 task areas NYSWDA identified as having potential to disturb lead paint.  The results prove that very little dust is generated when Lead Safe Weatherization practices are followed.

Click here for the Lead Safe Practices pages.

This NID makes crew use of TYVEK suits and respirators optional.  OSHA regs require employers to supply respirators to employees who request them.  We will be working with OSHA to develop a Written Respirator Protection Program template for your agency.

 Volunteers needed

Now that the network has a Negative Initial Determination (NID) for lead exposure, we have to keep it fresh with new air monitoring data.  We are looking for agencies to volunteer target house jobs that we can visit to conduct air monitoring on the weatherization tasks listed in the NID.  NYSWDA can conduct the monitoring.  This can be an opportunity to receive on-sight training on Lead Safe Weatherization, and help out the network. 

Blood Donations Needed

We still need crew blood lead level results for inclusion in the 2004 Lead NID. 

  This is beneficial information for you to prove that weatherization does not expose your employees to high lead levels and will help you decide if action is needed if one of your employees test high.  He/she may need training on the LSW practices or be doing something as a hobby on the weekend that is the problem.

 We’ve seen enough results to show that weatherization workers do not have dangerous levels of lead in their blood; Now we want to include the BLL information in the NID document.  This information will be summarized and used only as bulk data. In order to preserve worker confidentiality, individuals will be identified only by the last four digits of their SS #.  “De-identifying” this information this way complies with HIPAA regs.

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We need both the "lead in blood" numbers and the "zinc levels".  We will include an authorization to release Employee Medical Record Information. 

This information will establish a statewide baseline that will help you monitor if your workers are performing LSW correctly.  If you need assistance in locating an

Click Here to fill in our online form - thanks

READ THIS PAMPHLET
(before you hand it out)

Federal law (The Lead-Based Paint Pre-Renovation Education Rule) requires that the EPA pamphlet “Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home” be handed out to landlords, tenants, and owners.  Confirmation of receipt of this pamphlet from the owner or occupants is also a requirement of the law. You can have your client sign a Confirmation of Receipt Sheet (Click Here for sample posted on our website), or send the pamphlet certified mail and keep the receipt.  Proof of the receipt must be kept on file for 3 years.

When delivering this pamphlet, we encourage you to briefly educate your client about the contents.  This will ensure that your clients know the importance of the material.  Free pamphlets (for non-profits) can be ordered by calling the National Lead Information Center at 1 (800) 424-5323. By using the EPA’s booklet version, rather than printing and stapling your own, it will be more likely that your clients will read it.  Ask for a few copies printed in Spanish, for your Spanish-speaking clients.

For more information on how to comply with this law and when exemptions exists visit our Pre-Renovation compliance pages.  Click Here  for info

As we reported in the fall newsletter, NYSWDA & AEA were looking to join OSHA's National Alliance Program.  We have been approved for this program at the NY State level and our application is currently being reviewed at the federal level.

 NYSWDA expects that this Alliance will familiarize OSHA with who and what the WAP network is and to show how we are conduction business in a safe manner.  For more information on the OSHA Alliance program surf to:

 http://www.osha-slc.gov/dcsp/alliances/index.html

AND NOW FOR TODAY'S Computer TIP...

James presented a computer tips and tricks training at the Quarterly NYSCAA/NYSWDA Professional Development conference in Corning

Continued in next column

Because of the positive feedback from this training, we will offer it again in the future.

In the meantime I have posted a MSWord document which was the handout at the training.  Click here for the handout.