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Bill Bans Concurrent Demolition, Asbestos Work

NEW YORK CITY-Mayor Bloomberg has signed the construction safety measure, the last of 12 bills developed in the aftermath of the 130 Liberty St. fire.

By Paul Bubny | Updated on December 08, 2009

NEW YORK CITY-Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday signed a bill prohibiting simultaneous demolition and asbestos abatement activities within the same building. The measure, which was passed by the City Council last week, is the last of 12 bills written in response to the fatal August 2007 blaze at the former Deutsche Bank building.

“Simultaneous demolition and abatement activities should be a rare occurrence, and when needed, must be approved and closely monitored by the Department of Buildings, Department of Environmental Protection and the Fire Department,” Bloomberg said at a bill-signing ceremony Monday. “The possibility of a dangerous, even life threatening, situation is increased when demolition work is combined with asbestos abatement activities.”

All 12 bills grew out of recommendations devised by a working group Bloomberg convened to review oversight and operations at construction, demolition and abatement sites. A release from the City Council says the group found “multiple regulatory gaps” that increased the likelihood of fires such as the one in the former Deutsche Bank building at 130 Liberty St., in which two New York City firefighters lost their lives. The group then developed 33 recommendations focusing on inspection processes, general oversight, field operations and data sharing.

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