Enforcing Proper Asbestos Removal Procedures
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once thought to be a miraculous material because of it’s ability to insulate and resist heat, fire and corrosion. Asbestos is now known to be toxic and the inhalation of asbestos can be lethal, causing fatal lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and cancer. Diseases caused by asbestos may not show symptoms for ten to forty years after time of exposure since the fibers are very durable and can lay lodged in the body for many years before presenting problems. There is currently no known safe level of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos can be found in many homes, schools, buildings, automobiles, and shipyards. Asbestos was used in some of the following products:
- pipe insulation
- boiler insulation
- welding curtains
- corrugated paper products
- caulking putties
- adhesives
- joint compounds
- floor tiles
- plaster
- ceiling tiles
- wall panels or partitions
Since the mid 1980’s, the United States and other countries banned the use of asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency also banned the use of asbestos, and created the Clean Air Act which spells out regulations regarding the management and removal of existing asbestos-containing materials. As long as asbestos stays in intact, undisturbed, and in good condition it does not pose a health risk. Exposure occurs when asbestos is disturbed and becomes ‘friable’ causing fibers to be released into the air and then inhaled.
Despite the known dangers of inhaling asbestos, many contractors, renovators and building companies continue to put workers and the public at risk by not complying with safety standards while doing demolition, repair, or rebuilding. In the past month, several news releases have highlighted those that have disregarded proper procedures and put people in danger of later developing an asbestos related disease.
The University of Minnesota paid $60,000 in penaties for two alleged asbestos violations. One violation involved improper and unsafe disposal of asbestos after renovating a boat that they use as a theater and the other involved potentially releasing asbestos fibers when asbestos containing panels on a building were damaged while doing nearby tree removal. Of the fines, $50,000 will be going to support on-campus research into asbestos-related issues.
In Sydney Australia, the Community Services Department pleaded guilty to charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to protect the health and safety of employees who performed renovation and repairs on public housing units. Communtiy Services was sentenced to pay $10,000, which will be used to give seminars to other employees about the dangers of asbestos and proper maintenance, removal and disposal of the deadly substance.
Another sheet metal fabrication company, Blackstone Business Enterprises, in Jamestown, New York, has been fined $273,000 for knowingly and willfully failing to provide required safeguards such as respirators, protective clothing, and asbestos removal training for temporary employees hired to remove asbestos insulation from steam pipes. OSHA has strict guidelines for those in the construction industry to follow in managing and removing asbestos.
A Missouri contractor pled guilty to forging an inspector’s signatures on asbestos inspection reports so her company could bypass regulations and begin demolition and renovations in buildings that contained asbestos. Another major developer out of Boston, The Mayo Group Development LLC, was indicted for violating the Clean Air Act and improperly disposing asbestos waste at a 10-story building site, and will return to court on April 9th.
Some have claimed that the next wave of asbestos victims will be builders, renovators, construction workers and those that get second-hand exposure during demolition, repair or renovation of buildings that were built with asbestos containing materials. One can not stress enough the importance of following certain safety standards such as:
- establishing an asbestos management plan that locates and details the condition of existing asbestos in buildings (a movement very much underway in the UK)
- maintaining and managing asbestos that is found in good condition
- hiring contractors that are trained in asbestos abatement if asbestos is damaged or has the potential to become airborn
- following OSHA and EPA standards for removal, handling, and disposal of asbestos
- replacing asbestos containing materials with green, non-hazardous materials
- educating and communicating openly about the dangers of asbestos and safe removal
Following such standards may take more investment, but is sure to save lives and prevent contracting asbestos related diseases that cause much pain and suffering.
