New York City's built environment contains decades of hazardous materials. Demolition, cutting, grinding, and core-drilling on any pre-1980 building may expose workers to asbestos, lead paint, and crystalline silica — three substances that cause serious, irreversible illness. Ignorance of these hazards is no protection.

• Silica is in concrete, masonry, stone, and mortar. When cut, ground, or drilled, it becomes fine respirable dust
• Silicosis is an irreversible, progressive, and potentially fatal lung disease with no cure
• OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 50 μg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA
• Engineering controls required first: wet methods, vacuum attachments (HEPA), enclosed cabs. Respirator (N95 minimum; P100 for high-exposure tasks) is required when engineering controls alone are insufficient
• Core drilling, surface grinding, tuck-pointing, and jackhammering are the highest silica-exposure tasks

• Any work disturbing materials in pre-1980 NYC buildings requires an Asbestos Project Monitor (APM) and may require a NYC DEP Asbestos Project Permit
• Assume asbestos is present in floor tile, ceiling tile, pipe insulation, and joint compound in older NYC buildings until a licensed industrial hygienist certifies otherwise
• STOP WORK immediately if you uncover suspected asbestos (friable, fibrous white/gray material) and notify the SSM — do not disturb it further
• Asbestos abatement is performed by licensed contractors only — never by general trade workers

• Lead paint was common in NYC until 1978. Sanding, cutting, burning, or grinding painted surfaces in older buildings generates lead dust and fumes
• Blood lead level testing required for workers with significant lead exposure — your employer must provide this
• Required controls: HEPA vacuum, wet methods, full PPE including P100 respirator, disposable coveralls, and decontamination before leaving the work area
• Take-home contamination (lead dust on clothing) is illegal to allow — remove coveralls on site