Read “Healthy Happenings,” the EHS Newsletter

Message from the Environmental Health and Safety Officer

Greetings, and welcome to the latest edition of Healthy Happenings.

The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department plays a key role in creating and maintaining a healthy and safe environment at NYCHA by engaging with residents, employees, and the Federal Monitor on developing solutions to address environmental health and safety issues Authority-wide. As EHS nears the completion of our fifth year as a department, we are proud to have provided residents with timely and critical information on important safety issues. The relationship that we have developed with residents has been critical in achieving our mission.

This issue of Healthy Happenings highlights how residents and vendors can work together to ensure that development improvements are carried out safely for the entire NYCHA community. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this publication.

Happy holidays!

Patrick O’Hagan, Environmental Health and Safety Officer

Protecting Everyone During Construction Projects

NYCHA is committed to making various operational and capital improvements across our properties to ensure they are safe, clean, and foster a sense of community pride. Some of these improvements require extensive and lengthy construction. While construction activities and equipment may be a temporary inconvenience, these efforts are designed to enhance safety and improve the quality of life for all residents in the long term. For example, repairs to a building’s roof and façade help prevent water intrusion, a common source of leaks and mold growth in apartments.

As these construction projects are underway to improve and maintain our buildings, resident cooperation is critical to ensure everyone’s safety. These projects often involve complex equipment and hazardous materials, and contractors must implement mandatory safety controls to protect NYCHA’s residents, employees, and their own construction personnel. The success of these safety measures is a shared responsibility. Below are some important reminders to follow during construction.

• Respect safety barriers and signs: Never enter construction sites. Please avoid crossing barriers or entering areas marked as restricted. These measures are in place to protect you from harm.

• Do not interfere with construction work and equipment: Avoid engaging with construction workers, tampering with their equipment, or taking actions that could potentially lead to injuries. Even small actions that distract workers increases risks for everyone.

• Close windows during active exterior construction work: While contractors utilize dust control measures during construction activities, keeping windows closed will help to prevent the migration of dust into your apartment. Additionally, avoid any interaction with construction installations outside of your window such as suspended scaffolds and ropes or cables.  Tampering with these life safety devices can lead to serious issues.

• Keep children supervised: Ensure that children do not play near construction zones or tamper with equipment or materials.

• Report unsafe conditions: If you observe unsafe practices or damaged barriers, report them immediately to your property management office.

How to Report Safety Concerns

EHS encourages residents to report any safety concerns affecting you, your neighbors, NYCHA staff, or contractors. You can submit concerns by calling NYCHA’s Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 (select menu option 7, then option 3) or by visiting on.nyc.gov/submit-concern.

By adhering to these guidelines, you help create a safer environment for your family, neighbors, and the individuals working to improve our properties. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe!

Winter Safety Tips

As the weather gets colder, please keep these indoor and outdoor safety reminders in mind. 

To keep your home safe and warm if you lose power:

• Remain indoors as much as possible unless you lose heat.
• Locate a warming center in your community by signing up online for Notify NYC, or call 311 to receive emails, text messages, or phone calls with emergency information.
• Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies: check the CO detector batteries, and replace them if necessary.
• Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
• Keep an emergency kit with medications, important phone numbers, and cell phone chargers.

Be sure to prepare for the safety hazards of the winter months:

• Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
• Follow outdoor safety precautions and learn safety rules to follow in case you become stranded in your car.
• Check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards (young children, older adults, and the chronically ill).
• If you have pets, bring them inside. 
• For additional heating safety tips, please visit https://nychajournal.nyc/winter-heating-safety. 

If you have questions about this or any environmental health and safety matter, please email ehs@nycha.nyc.gov.