Safety agency cites women's prison again for mold in building

[Guest guest]

Although OSHA's information on mold may be outdated, at least they are

taking the issue seriously. (please see article below)

After a discussion with Jordan Barab, Assistant Secretary of OSHA,

Occupational Safety and Health Administration a few weeks ago at a MassCOSH

sponsored Town Hall Meeting at IBEW Local 103, at his request, I sent along

updated information on mold illnesses about which he was unaware.

In addition, a member of our " national coalition " - - Brinchman from

The Center for School Mold Help, was able to convince the CDC to include

the recently released WHO Guidelines on mold on their web site. Sue had sent

two teachers from California to the BTU five years ago this month for a

Boston City Council hearing on mold. The link to the website is

_http://www.schoolmoldhelp.org/_ (http://www.schoolmoldhelp.org/)

Our own GAO reported that this country is woefully unorganized about this

serious health issue. Please find the WHO report attached.

Mulvey son

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Article published Dec 1, 2009

Safety agency cites women's prison again for mold in building

By _Amy Renczkowski_ (mailto:a.renczkowski@...) Day Staff Writer

DOC reports problem resolved in Niantic before Dec. 7 deadline

East Lyme — For the third time in six years, the state Department of

Correction has been cited by the state Department of Labor, Division of

Occupational Safety and Health for the discovery of mold at a women's

correctional

facility in Niantic.

<HARDRETURN>During an unannounced inspection last August, OSHA reported

seeing mold on ceiling tiles in the front entrance/lobby and west wing

hallway, as well as ceilings and walls in the bathrooms on the first and second

floors in the Building at the Janet S. York Correctional Institution.

In 2007 and 2003 the DOC was cited for having mold problems in other areas

inside the Building. In all cases, the department was n

<HARDRETURN>The Marilyn Baker House, a six-month inpatient program for

inmates with alcohol and substance abuse issues, is in the Building.

About 78 inmates and a dozen staff members spend time in the 70-year-ol

<HARDRETURN>OSHA reported finding common types of mold that aren't toxic,

but are known allergens associated with eye, nose and throat irritation. In

its report, OSHA strongly recommended that the DOC investigate the

potential source of moisture and remediate the areas where mo

<HARDRETURN>After the inspection in August, York's Warden Gause,

Plant Facilities Engineer White and Correctional Maintenance

Supervisor Mark Sullivan discussed the violations. The DOC was given a deadline

of

Dec. 7 to clean up the mold, but reported to OSHA that the issues were

resolved in October. OSHA said its investigation

<HARDRETURN> " We've taken immediate action to correct the problem and will

continue to do so, " Garnett, DOC spokesman said. " We will do whatever

it takes to ensure that the health of our staff and inmate population is

<HARDRETURN>Garnett was not specific on the long-term plan to remediate

the mold, but said the department will try to maintain upkeep on the agin

<HARDRETURN>Walter L. II, a 19-year veteran of the DOC and

correctional treatment officer at York, filed a grievance this fall with the

American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 1565, which

represents 2,500 correction officers. said his supervisors attempted

to transfer him to the Building, where he started having allergic

reactions to the mold. said he believes he was treated unfairly

compared to other staff members who experienced similar reactions t

<HARDRETURN> also filed an appeal in November to the state

Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities because he said he feels he's

being

discriminated against because of his race, col

<HARDRETURN> " A lot of people at work are afraid to bring this up. I am not

afraid. Some people have come forward while some have been silent while we

sit there congested and we all have identical rashes, " said. " And

they still say nothing

<HARDRETURN>Union President Luke Leone said it's too early in the

grievance process for the union to be notified of any complaints regarding the

mold, so he is unsure if any other correction officers filed