N.Y. Labor Law § 900: Legislative findings and declaration

§ 900. Legislative findings and declaration. The legislature hereby

finds and declares that exposure to asbestos fibers, a known

carcinogenic agent, creates a serious risk to the public health and

safety. The legislature also finds that the public is more frequently

exposed to these risks as a result of an increasing number of

rehabilitation and reconstruction projects on buildings containing

asbestos or asbestos materials.

The legislature finds that the risks associated with asbestos are

exacerbated by the improper and uninformed manner in which some

contractors and their employees handle asbestos. Improper design,

implementation or inspection of asbestos projects creates unnecessary

health and safety hazards which are detrimental to the state's interest,

and that of its citizens.

The legislature, therefore, finds and declares it to be its purpose

and policy to reduce asbestos related hazards by encouraging proper

training of persons employed to design, implement or inspect asbestos

projects and those who supervise or employ them, by requiring the

licensing of contractors and the certification of individuals involved

in asbestos projects pursuant to regulations promulgated by the

commissioner, prior to the removal, enclosure, encapsulation or

disturbance of friable asbestos or any handling of asbestos material

which may result in the release of asbestos fiber and by conferring upon

the commissioner the authority to inspect ongoing asbestos projects and

promulgate and enforce safety and health standards regulating the

conduct of those projects through injunctions, and the imposition of

civil and criminal penalties.