BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOPS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION INDUSTRIES

SPRINGFIELD — Governor Rod Blagojevich today encouraged the construction, demolition and building code industry to learn how to help prevent environmental hazards and violations at one of the state environmental workshops to be held around the state. 

 

The topics will include regulations on asbestos, lead, mold, radon, as well as other requirements for remodeling or demolition of property. The first workshop is on Jan. 27 and they will run through March 30.

 

 "These workshops will help contractors, owners and possibly local governing bodies know of their responsibilities to follow laws and regulations applying to remodeling and demolition that are designed to prevent environmental hazards to the public from occurring," said Gov. Blagojevich.

 

He noted the workshops could also help participants avoid potential fines and penalties and the added expense of cleaning up contamination that could have been prevented in the first place.

 

"We have seen too many cases where improper removal of asbestos, for example, has resulted in potential health threats and inconvenience to individuals and businesses and hopefully these interactive workshops will reduce those situations," said Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano.

 

Among the topics will be: federal lead and asbestos requirements for inspection, abatement, disposal and licensing; radon mitigation; construction site erosion controls, and OSHA's top construction related violations.  In addition, there will be discussion on the rising number of methamphetamine labs and the unique hazards encountered in the clean up and demolition of these sites.

 

There is a $25 fee and advance registration is requested.

The workshops will be held across the state at:

 

Jan. 27: Illinois Community Action Agency, Springfield

Jan. 29: Para-a-Dice Hotel, East Peoria

Feb. 3: Thelma Keller Convention Center, Effingham

Feb. 4: John A. Logan College, Carterville

Feb. 5: Gateway Center, Collinsville

Feb. 18: Holiday Inn Moline, Moline

Feb. 19: Rock Valley College, Rockford

Feb. 25: Elgin Community College, Elgin

Feb. 26: Joliet Junior College, Joliet

March 30: Wright College, Chicago

 

 

For more information on workshops or locations and directions to the workshops, please contact the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, toll free, at:  1-800-252-3998, or visit the Illinois EPA web site at: http://www.epa.state.il.us/small-business/workshops/workshop-brochure.pdf or DCEO's web site at: http://www.illinoisbiz.biz/bus/env_assist/Workshops_Seminars.html.