What is the primary purpose of conducting an asbestos survey as part of NYSDOL Phase 1 activities?

The primary purpose of conducting an asbestos survey during NYSDOL Phase 1 activities is to identify potential hazards associated with asbestos-containing materials in a given environment. This survey is crucial as it helps in locating, characterizing, and quantifying the presence of asbestos before any renovation, demolition, or construction work begins. By identifying where asbestos is present, an appropriate management plan can be developed to ensure safety for workers and occupants, and to comply with regulatory requirements. Identifying potential hazards is the first step in mitigating risks related to asbestos exposure, thus highlighting its significance in occupational health and safety.

The other choices, while relevant to environmental health and safety in various contexts, do not focus specifically on the initial assessment needed to ensure the safe handling of asbestos. An assessment of environmental impact might follow the identification of hazards, but it is not the primary concern of a Phase 1 survey. Employee training is essential for safe practices but comes after hazards have been discovered and assessed. Preparing raw material inventories is also important but does not directly address the need to identify existing asbestos hazards.