National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Education and Training Program (WETP) Response to the World Trade Center (WTC) Disaster: Initial WETP Grantee Response and Preliminary Assessment of Training Needs
Field evaluation reports elevated injury rates and hazardous exposures among disaster recovery workers, highlighting urgent needs for coordinated safety training.
Key Points
Evaluate worker safety conditions, existing protective plans, and immediate occupational training needs among emergency response and recovery personnel at the World Trade Center disaster site.
Conducted on-site field observations from September 22 to September 27, 2001, to evaluate hazard mitigation and safety coordination across participating agencies.
Analyzed worker injury and illness patterns using WTC Disaster Site Worker Injury and Illness Surveillance Update Reports published by the New York City Health Department.
Identified unacceptable rates of injury and illness alongside substantial risks of toxic environmental exposures, including airborne asbestos, during ongoing recovery operations.
Found an absence of comprehensive, operative site safety and health plans applicable to the skilled construction trade workforce assisting in demolition and debris removal.
Documented disjointed respiratory protection management, where individual organizations distributed thousands of respirators and filters without centralized employer enforcement or standard fit testing.