Health and safety is a critical part of the Harbor Point project as we work to address the environmental impacts at the site and improve the environment. National Grid is committed to protecting the public, our workers and contractors and the environment from potential hazards that can occur as part of cleanup activities planned for the site.
Health and safety programs are comprised of careful planning, good communication and effective monitoring of the execution of the health and safety plans. Remediation work will be performed by qualified contractors that are appropriately trained and monitored, and is to be performed in accordance with applicable regulations. Health and safety plans will be developed for each remediation activity. Contractors are required to provide documentation of employee training and medical monitoring, and are evaluated based on their compliance with established health and safety plans.
Public safety will be protected by establishing a Community Air Monitoring Program and a Traffic Control Program. The Community Air Monitoring Program will include air monitoring at the construction / remediation site and also between remediation activities and public residential or commercial areas downwind. Remediation of MGP wastes often results in strong odors that are sometimes unpleasant. Odors will be controlled to the extent practicable by limiting the size of area excavated; using foam to cover exposed waste materials and by occasionally stopping work until wind and weather conditions improve. The community air monitoring plan will have specified monitoring locations and concentrations that will determine when additional odor or emission controls must be used and when the work must stop to protect workers and the public.
The Traffic Control Program will manage traffic in and around the remediation activity and whenever trucks travel to and from the site. This program will include route planning for trucks and other vehicles, and the use of signs, flagmen or signals and where necessary detours to control traffic safely around site activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the problem?
A long history of industrial activity has impacted soil and groundwater at the Harbor Point Site. Some of the materials spilled or released in the past are harmful to human health or the environment. The site remediation program is designed to clean up the site so that it will be safe for continued use.
Am I safe?
Yes. Site investigations have shown that harmful materials are limited to the Harbor Point site and immediate vicinity. Access to these areas is limited and controlled. Groundwater and surface water from the site are not used as drinking water sources. In addition, there are advisories cautioning the public from eating fish from Utica Harbor and the Mohawk River adjacent to the site. Some of these advisories are unrelated to the Harbor Point site.
What can I expect during remedial activities?
The most visible activity will be trucks and excavators moving around the Harbor Point Site. A subsurface barrier wall will be constructed around the Water Gas Plant at the corner of Washington and Lee Streets. This process includes digging a deep trench and mixing of slurry at the ground surface. Although the process may appear messy, it is controlled and will be contained on the site. Also, remediation of MGP wastes often results in strong odors that are sometimes unpleasant. Odors will be controlled to the extent practicable by limiting the size of area excavated, using foam to cover exposed waste materials, and by occasionally stopping work until wind and weather conditions improve.