PAX Centurion - Summer 2017

Page 42 • PAX CENTURION • Summer 2017 617-989-BPPA (2772) Asbestos discovered/removed from booking area of A7 O n June 6 th , 2017 the BPPA provided photographs and reported a torn insulation cover on a utility pipe in the BookingArea of A7. Members had concerns about this torn cover that was leaking debris/dust onto the floors and wall area. The BPPA Health & Safety Committee requested an analysis/inspection of this exposed pipe cover to check for harmful contaminants. A few days later the BPPA was notified that this damaged utility pipe insulation cover was tested POSITIVE for ASBESTOS. The department shut down the BookingArea and had anAsbestos Abatement done within a couple days. The BPPA requested that a department email broadcast be issued from the commissioner’s office to notify BPD personnel about this unhealthy work environment condition in an effort to ensure that people who may have worked at A7 prior to the removal of this Asbestos leak can complete “Unprotected Exposure Forms” and get checked by their doctor if they have any concerns about this exposure.  Significant reporting has indicated that this Asbestos insulation cover may have been leaking/ falling apart for more than seven years with the conditions of the pipe cover worsening. At some point, a custodian may have wrapped caution tape and electrical tape around this pipe in an effort to reduce the dust/debris from falling onto the floors/ walls, to no avail.  Unfortunately, the department has not sent out any notifications about this unhealthyAsbestos condition as of this date. Please share this information with our members who have been transferred, promoted or retired. Health and Safety Committee Report: Paul Downey, Chairman “We remain very concerned about the unhealthy working conditions that our members at A7 have been exposed to for an unreasonable length of time and the delay in proper notifications throughout the department for police personnel who have been transferred, MIS, retired or maybe promoted and are still unaware of their exposure to this Asbestos hazard.....” – Paul Downey, BPPA Health & Safety Committee