Library Of Congress Cited For Safety Problems

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Monday, January 08, 2007

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Library Of Congress Cited For Safety Problems

One might think that librarians have pretty darn safe jobs --

particularly those who work for the Library of Congress. Of course,

as usual when it comes to workplace safety, that would be wrong.

According to Roll Call magazine (subscription required), the Library

of Congress has received 4 citations from the federal Office of

Compliance. (The Library of Congress, like other Congressional

offices is not covered by OSHA, but the Office of Compliance

enforces OSHA regulations.)

At the request of the [Library of Congress Professional Guild,

AFSCME Local 2910], inspectors were first called to stacks in the

Jefferson Building in August to determine whether any unsafe

conditions had been created by heavy rains, said Nan Ernst, the

guild's representative on the Library's health and safety committee.

Inspectors found water from a roof leak had damaged walls in Decks A

and B, and cited the Library because of the potential for electric

shock. Another citation was issued because water had caused the

spread of lead paint particles.

While at the site inspectors also noticed nearby floor tiles and

wall panels that contain asbestos had been damaged, and issued a

third citation.

In addition, inspectors discovered a passageway between Deck B and

Deck 38 in the building had been seriously deteriorated because of

the use of heavy book trucks. That also created high levels of

asbestos, prompting the OOC to issue a citation.

" Once we were over there, everybody started going, 'What's going on

with this floor? " Ernst said. " It was kind of alarming. ... It

should have never deteriorated to that point. "

According to the citation, the extent of the deterioration required

the Library to collect monitoring data on asbestos levels. The

Library conducted only one sampling of the air, after workers had

tried to fix some of the damages by covering the floor with

protective material. That did not meet safety requirements,

according to the citation.

The response of the LOC's General Counsel to the citations can be

summed up in two words: " Bite me! "

In a letter to the OOC on Jan. 4, the counsel responded to one of

four citations issued by the OOC on Dec. 13, contending the Library

met all procedures regarding asbestos monitoring and took proper

measures to protect employees.

" After careful review, the Library has concluded that its employees

have not been exposed to unsafe working conditions, as alleged in

the citations, " the Library wrote in a statement. " We are responding

to all the matters raised by the Office of Compliance. Together with

the Architect of the Capitol, the Library has been addressing

various maintenance issues for some time in the Jefferson

Building to ensure that it remains a safe environment for all

Library employees. "

Not so, says Guild president Saul Schneiderman:

" For years our union has been raising concerns about asbestos at the

Library of Congress, " he said. " The recent exposure caused by

damaged asbestos flooring in the Jefferson Building occurred because

of neglect. "

The Libary has until the end of January and beginning of February to

respond to the citations. We'll keep you posted.