Two businesses, Partners Construction and Asbestos Construction Management, were fined approximately $380,000 for asbestos violations during a demolition project. A worker’s complaint led to an investigation by the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). According to L&I, the demolition project consisted of 19 “willful and serious” safety and health violations, such as exposing employees to asbestos and leaving contaminated debris on site.
The “willful” aspect of the violations stemmed from the fact that midway through the demolition project, Partners Construction was cited and decertified, and was thus unable to finish the job. To circumvent this problem, a member of the family that owns and runs Partners started up Asbestos Construction Management to finish the demolition. Even after the job was supposedly finished, L&I inspectors discovered massive amounts of contamination left behind, including asbestos-containing popcorn ceiling and vinyl flooring.
“We are taking steps to decertify [Asbestos Construction Management],” said Elaine Fischer, spokeswoman for L&I. “We’ve begun the process; they’ve been notified.”
The amount owed by the companies breaks down to $291,950 for Partners Construction, which was responsible for 14 violations, and $87,150 for Asbestos Construction Management, which incurred 5 violations.
Demolition projects are always dangerous, but especially so when there is asbestos involved. The disruption of friable asbestos puts the public at risk, which is why there are such strict penalties for improper or unlawful asbestos handling and disposal. Asbestos exposure can lead to numerous respiratory health problems, including mesothelioma.
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