Committed to Public Health & Safety
National Grid is committed to protecting the public, our workers and contractors, and the environment from potential hazards associated with cleanup activities. Public safety is managed with oversight from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the New York State Department of Health.
Every remedial measure is performed under a health and safety plan, which is prepared to address the potential hazards associated with the work. National Grid's site remediation contractors undergo a qualification process to ensure they meet rigorous safety standards.
MGP site remediation work is performed by qualified contractors who are appropriately trained and supervised, and carried out in accordance with applicable regulations. Contractors are required to have employee training and medical monitoring programs in accordance with established health and safety plans.
Measures implemented to protect the health and safety of the community include:
The Community Air Monitoring Program (CAMP) is intended to prevent any adverse health effects in the communities surrounding the site and monitors air quality at work sites during remediation activities. As part of CAMP, air monitoring is conducted at the work zone or site perimeters to monitor vapor that may be released when intrusive activities, such as excavations, are conducted. These activities can produce unpleasant odors.
MGP waste products contain volatile compounds and health-based monitoring and control of vapors is an important component of all investigative and remedial activities. Nuisance odors, however, are usually the more common problem, since MGP wastes have a high odor potential. Most people will complain about the smell long before the vapors reach health-based levels of concern.
A variety of odor-control measures are used to mitigate odor concerns, including the use of odor-suppressing foams or performing excavations under temporary ventilated enclosures. Specific monitoring locations and concentration levels are used to determine when additional odor or emission controls must be used or when the work must stop to protect workers and the public.
Soil vapor monitoring is conducted onsite and on properties near the plume paths to ensure that potentially harmful vapors associated with the contamination are not being released from the soil into the atmosphere. When warranted, National Grid takes indoor air samples in properties located near the plume paths.
- A traffic control plan is used to manage traffic in and around cleanup activities and whenever trucks travel to and from the site. This program includes route planning for trucks and other vehicles and coordination with local authorities and agencies on transportation safety issues.
