HomeMy WebLinkAboutIndustrial Hygiene Consulting Svcs ��� CITY OF PALM DESERT
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STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Appropriate Funding for Industrial Hygiene Consulting
SUBMITTED BY: Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager
DATE: May 11, 2006
Recommendation:
Appropriate $50,000.00 from the Unobligated Housing Authority Fund
Account No. 871-4195-466-3092 to provide for ongoing Industrial
Hygiene Consulting Services.
Executive Summary:
The City frequently requires the use of an Industrial Hygiene Consultant to perform
measurements of chemical and mold contamination in and around City property and
facilities. This specialty consulting service must be of the highest quality and competence
to assure that employee health and safety is protected, but also to best defend any claims
that may arise as a result of alleged exposure to contaminants. The Risk Manager is a
Certified Industrial Hygienist who can best identify quality service providers and manage
their ongoing activities. This request is to form a consulting budget under the control of the
Risk Manager in order to centralize both the quality control and the billing for this service
across all departments of the City that may need this service.
Discussion:
From time to time the City requires the use of an Industrial Hygiene Consultant to perform
measurements of chemical and mold contamination in City property and facilities. The
need for this type of service is usually on an expedited basis, where the health and safety
of employees and the public is uncertain until the measurements are made. The service is
also of critical importance to demonstrate no contamination is present after a remediation
and removal of such contaminants as asbestos or mold. This is called a "clearance" and is
a critical step in completing a remediation process.
The City has contracted several times this year for industrial hygiene work for measuring
mold in RDA housing apartments, asbestos in RDA housing, roof repair chemicals in
Parkview, odor complaints in the Sheriff station and mold in a Fire Station. These
measurements were needed to assess the potential exposures and health risks before the
contaminants were removed, and afterwards to prove that the removal work was complete.
The measurements are also of critical importance during the removal process to show that
the contamination is contained within the established exposure control zone.
Staff Report
Industrial Hygiene Consulting
Page 2 of 2
May 11, 2006
It is important to have both uniform measurement techniques and highest quality standards.
Utilizing "Certified Industrial Fiygienists" or"CIHs" is the highest quality certification in the
field. This is important not only to assure that the City is not harming anyone's health or
safety as the situation is unfolding, but also to defend claims that may occur after the
situation has been corrected.
One key element in successfully managing claims that may arise from alleged health
effects caused by alleged exposures to contaminants is defending the claim with the
highest quality scientific data generated by an independent third party expert. Poor quality
data will hinder a defense against claims.
The Risk Manager is a Certified Industrial Hygienist who can best identify quality service
providers in our area and manage their ongoing activities. This request is to form a
consulting budget under the control of the Risk Manager in order to centralize both the
quality control and the billing for this specialty service.
Submitted By: Depart ent He :
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Gary Rosenblum Homer C
Risk Manager ACM for D v lopment Services
Approval:
Carlos L. O a
City Manag r
Paul Gibson
Director of Finance
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Original on file with City CFerk`s Offece