Report to the 2008 General Assembly

Legislative Report 3

Title: Indoor Air Quality

PROTOCOL TO IDENTIFY AND TRACK POTENTIAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY ISSUES AND HEALTH HAZARDS IN STATE BUILDINGS

In accordance with the provisions of Act 65 section 18(a) the Commissioners of Buildings and General Services and the Department of Health in collaboration with the Vermont State Employees Association shall develop a protocol to identify and track potential indoor air quality issues and health hazards in state buildings.

As indicated in Act 65 section 18(a) a protocol for identifying and addressing current and potential health hazards in State office buildings has been designed and agreed to. On December  31, 2007 a joint meeting was held with Gerry Myers, Commissioner of Buildings and General Services, Sharon Moffatt, Commissioner of Health and Annie Noonan, Director VSEA to review and discuss the “Building Related Issues Resolution Process Pilot Project”.

To address this issue, Administrative Policy No. 0008 was altered to ensure resolution and communication of building related issues affecting the work environment of state employees.  Once a complaint is received and the nature of the complaint is determined, three levels of investigation have been established to ensure a prompt and appropriate response to both resolve the issue and communicate the status to the buildings occupants.

In its most simplistic form, the process will flow as follows;  Upon receipt of an online or paper complaint, BGS staff will determine if the issue involves routine maintenance or if there is an indoor air quality issue or other building related issue affecting the buildings work environment.  If the issue is resolved with routine maintenance, the work is completed, the work order closed and complainant is notified.  If routine maintenance indicates air quality issues, the process moves to level I where a suite of tests are performed to determine the problem.  If the issue can not be resolved at this Level it elevates to Level II and the Health Department is notified.  Once the building related issued is identified in Level II, a remediation plan will be developed and implemented to correct the problem.  If the resolution is unsatisfactory, the issue moves to Level III where the Health Department assumes control and further investigation is performed.  Communication to the buildings occupants will be critical throughout the process.

The Building Related Issues Notification Form, a copy of Administrative Policy 0008 and a copy The Building Related Issues Resolution Process flowchart are attached. These are also available on line at www.bgs.vermont.gov.