The New York State Department of Labor Engineering Services has issued the following statement, which we have obtained, regarding their Pilot "Fast Track Variance (FTV)" program:
Good afternoon, As the results of an increasing number of questions concerning relief granted by some Fast Track Variances (FTVs), ESU has decided to temporarily stop the FTV program. ESU will go back and review each FTV to ensure that the relief granted, and conditions listed in the FTV are consistent with ICR 56 and appliable Federal requirements. ESU will also try to better define when and how each FTV can be utilized. There seems to be some confusion about how some FTV's are to be used. When ESU completes its review of an FTV, we will reissue that FTV for use moving forward. It is ESU's hope that this review will not take long.
BREAKING NEWS - SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
The New York State Department of Labor Engineering Services Unit (ESU) have issued Fast Track Variances (FTV) that are now available on their website.
This enables Building Owners, Asbestos Consultants, Asbestos Contractors and others the ability to obtain quick Variances for those actions that are identified within the FTV.
Please see the information below taken directly from the NYSDOL ESU webpage.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR for ICR 56
(September 9, 2020)
Fast-Track Variances:
The Engineering Services Unit (ESU) is launching a pilot program for certain site-specific variances (SSVs). These new variances will be called "Fast-Track Variances" (FTVs). These are common variances that are issued on a regular basis. At the start of the program, there will be 10 of the variances available, each with an assigned number (see list below).
Over time, more FTVs might be added.
The established process for variance application can result in approval turnaround times of two to three weeks depending on the current workload at the ESU. Variance applications are typically processed in the order received. With the FTV process, routine variances could potentially be issued the same day as they are received by the ESU. The goal is to speed up the review process for these routine variances.
To make this process work, several guidelines must be followed. These are guidelines for getting an FTV:
A completed SH 752 form must be submitted. The form must include all the necessary information for obtaining a variance, including the hardship. No information about the work plan should be included with the application.
The SH 752form must be submitted by a certified Project Designer working on behalf of the Petitioner.
The variance fee of $350 must be included.
In Section 9 of the SH 752 form, the Petitioner's Agent must write in the number of the FTV that is requested.
The FTV will be issued as it is written. If some part of the FTV doesn't meet the project's needs, then a standard SSV is required.
Other relief cannot be added to the FTV.
No re-openings or amendments are allowed.
Termination date extension requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
These FTVs have no bearing on notification times.
Below is a list of FTVs that will be available initially.
If you or your company are current customers of The Safety and Health Training Center, Inc., we can invoice your company for your students attending any of our on-line and in-person classes. This will result in a normal tuition cost.
As a current customer, you may also choose to pay by using the PayPal button on our Asbestos page. If you choose this method, you will be paying a little higher tuition fee to help offset the PayPal fees associated with on-line payment services.
If you are not a current customer of The Safety and Health Training Center, Inc., you and/or your company must pay for the classes in one of two ways.
The first would be to issue a company check and submitting it to us prior to the class or to have the student bring it on the first day of the class. Using this method will result in the standard tuition cost.
The second option is to pay the tuition using the PayPal options located on our Asbestos page. Using this option will result in an additional charge added to the tuition to offset the PayPal charges.
Thank you!
COVID-19 CLEANING AND DISINFECTING TRAINING
The Safety and Health Training Center will be providing online and in-person training for those companies and facilities that are providing cleaning, disinfecting and decontamination of Facilities and Buildings. The training will focus on the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and New York State Department of Health (DOH) guidelines as well as discussion regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) List N of Disinfectants.
The online and in-person training consists of a four (4) hour program which is intended for those who currently have some form of environmental cleanup/decontamination and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training including Asbestos, Lead, Mold or Hazardous Materials Response training. The training will also provide the attendee with a detailed look into the Safe Work Practices that should be incorporated for COVID-19 cleaning to include proper Personal Protective Equipment donning and doffing as well as disinfecting procedures.
The classes will be held either online (4 hour program) or at our training facility and in accordance with the guidelines from the CDC, OSHA, WHO and the NYSDOH, we are limiting the total number of students for the in-person programs to twelve (12) to provide an adequate Social Distancing which is the primary Non-Pharmaceutical Infection Control action. We have also implemented a continuous cleaning and disinfecting process throughout the day to protect all attendees.
Please contact us to schedule a COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting course!!!
(Revised June 4, 2020)
COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS (updated 2022)
The Safety and Health Training Center, Inc. is committed to providing the safest environment for your employees to attend their required safety training.
We have eliminated the common use coffee pot and the snacks (pretzels) to reduce the potential for cross-contamination.
We ask that all students wash their hands thoroughly throughout the day to minimize their potential for exposure.
We also ask that if one of your employees is sick and/or exhibiting symptoms, to please stay home so as to not risk infecting other students.
Please check with us frequently either on our website or by callling our office at (716) 838-6850 for more updates.
Thank you for your patience. Please be safe out there.
World Renowned Photojournalist Earl Dotter visits
The Safety and Health Training Center
On October 30, 2019, the world renowned photojournalist, Mr. Earl Dotter, was at Tri-Main Center to celebrate WNYCOSH's 40th anniversary of helping workers across Western New York. Mr. Dotter's amazing photo display was also available for the public to see as shown in some of the pictures.
We were honored to have Mr. Dotter come to our training facility and spend time with our students. Mr. Dotter asked us if he could take some pictures of the facility as well as the training that we were doing. He also indicated that this was the first time since the 1970's that he had photographed Asbestos training.
Special thank you to Greg Andrews, Rob Barr and Les Benedict for agreeing to do some hands-on training and to allow themselves to be photographed.
The remaining pictures were taken as Mr. Dotter was photographing the action.
More photos will be forthcoming.
To Mr. Dotter, thank you so much for spending time with us and thank you for your amazing work.
If you are interested in seeing Mr. Dotter's work, please go to his website at Earl Dotter
