Occupational Safety

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to air quality in indoor offices, classrooms, or laboratory environments, as opposed to industrial or outdoor settings. These areas may rely on natural ventilation (e.g. openable windows) or mechanical ventilation through heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Common sources of IAQ complaints include HVAC malfunctions, insufficient outdoor air supply, odors from internal or external sources, and mold.

Certain classrooms, labs, and industrial spaces may also generate airborne contaminants such as chemicals, particulates, aerosols, or fumes. These should be managed using local exhaust systems (e.g. fume hoods) or enhanced general ventilation.

CCNY is committed to providing all employees, students, and visitors with a clean and healthy indoor environment conducive to work, study, and other activities. Poor air quality can negatively impact comfort, health and productivity. The IAQ program aims to ensure safe, contaminant-free spaces and plays a vital role in addressing and resolving concerns raised by building occupants about their indoor environment.

There are various factors that may contribute to poor air quality at City College, including:
•    Humidity
•    Changes in ventilation
•    Dust
•    Mold
•    Construction
•    Cleaning and chemical treatments

If the space you are using appears to have unexpectedly low air quality, filling out the following form and sending it to EHOS will allow us to effectively address issues in the area: Indoor Air Quality Fillable Form

NYC.gov also publishes a webpage that displays the current air quality index for reference: Real-Time Air Quality: PM2.5 in NYC

Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are products with more than 1% by weight and volume of asbestos. They include pipes and boiler insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, mastic, spray applied fireproofing, gaskets, roofing, window caulking/glazing and plaster.

Prior to planned renovation, maintenance or emergency that may involve presumed ACM (PACM) or ACM, an investigation request must be conducted and EHOS should be notified.

Mold spores are found almost everywhere and mold will grow on virtually any organic substance as long as moisture, oxygen, and certain temperature ranges present.

Contact EHOS if you have questions or concerns regarding mold. See common FAQs below.

If you store or handle any chemical listed on the New York List of Hazardous Substances at or above its threshold reporting quantity, you must annually file a Facility Inventory Form with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and FDNY. 

CCNY maintains an inventory of all hazardous substances in its facilities. On March 1st of every year, EHOS reports the names and quantities of all substances on the NYC List of Hazardous Substances that are present in CCNY facilities.

Any employee responsible for the use, management, or distribution of chemicals in a workspace must keep an up-to-date chemical inventory for that area. EHOS relies on these inventories to meet regulatory requirements from agencies such as the NYC DEP Community Right to Know Program, the NYC DEC, the FDNY, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Maintaining accurate records is essential for these agencies – and for emergency responders – to effectively prepare for and respond to potential chemical releases or exposures.

Q. Do you have an Asbestos concern?

        A. Concerns can be reported to the EHOS Department at ehos@ccny.cuny.edu for immediate assessment.

            Prior to any renovation work that requires the disturbance of the current condition of the space including the floor, roof, walls, fume hood, benchtop etc., contact EHOS department for ACM assessment.

Q. Can I start renovation or demolition work prior to EHOS assessment?

        A. No. Assessment must be completed and approval must be issued by EHOS department prior to any work of renovation /demolition begin.

Q. Do you see a visible mold growth in your area?

        A. Contact EHOS department for assessment and create a work order for Facility’s custodial to clean and remove mold.
 
            Check for any leak or moisture in the specific room and contact facilities if the source cannot be stopped.

            Keep windows closed to prevent humidity/rain entering from outside.

Q. Do you get a persistent indoor air quality issue?

        A. Fill out the Indoor Air Quality Assessment form 
            Submit the form to the EHOS office at ehos@ccny.cuny.edu  
            You will be contacted by the EHOS office to schedule for an in-person assessment. 

Q. Do you smell gas?
        A. Call 911 and immediately evacuate the area
            Inform EHOS and Public safety office

Q. Do you smell diesel?

       A. It could be due to diesel refilling of equipment near an air intake. Report the issue to EHOS. 

Q.  Does a smell, other than gas or diesel, present in a single room and persistent?

       A. Look around for trash, rotten food, and if there is a floor drain which all could be the source of the odor. Remove trash and any perishable food item from the lab and work area. Pour water down the drain, it helps with reducing the odor.

Q.  What do you do in the event of a fire?
      A.

•  Activate the nearest fire alarm pull box that is located in an area away from the fire and call 911 and Public Safety.
•  Everyone in the area should follow the evacuation procedure.
• DO NOT use elevators when evacuating.  
           
  NOTE: If employee is trained on the use of fire extinguishers, the trained employee can extinguish the initial-stage fire. Follow the instruction below 
    
            Position your back to face an immediate exit. You are not obligated but if you feel comfortable to use the fire extinguisher.
                1.    Pull the pin: This unlocks the operating lever and allows you to discharge the extinguisher. Some extinguishers may have other lever-release mechanisms.
                2.    Aim low: Point the extinguisher nozzle (or hose) at the base of the fire.  Generally, you must be within 10 ft of the fire, to use a hand-held fire extinguisher effectively.
                3.    Squeeze the lever above the handle: This discharges the agent. Releasing the lever will stop the discharge. Some extinguishers have a button instead of a lever.
                4.    Sweep from side to side: Moving carefully toward the fire, keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth until the flames appear to be out. Watch the fire area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat the process. 
                5.    Always be sure the fire department inspects the fire site, even if you think you've extinguished the fire!