New York Demolition Contractor Cited for Alleged Asbestos Removal Violations
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009By Wade Rawlins
Cambria Contracting Inc., a Lockport, New York demolition contractor, faces $484,000 in proposed penalties for 11 alleged violations of asbestos cleanup standards at a site in Buffalo, New York.
According to a press release issued Monday by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Cambria Contracting failed to train and protect workers who were cleaning up asbestos-contaminated debris at the former AM&A department store warehouse.
Asbestos was widely used in building materials and insulation until the 1970s, but is now strictly regulated because of the health hazard asbestos dust poses. Inhaling asbestos fibers is linked to serious respiratory diseases including mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen.
“These significant penalties reflect the fact that this employer, an asbestos contractor with extensive knowledge of the OSHA standards that govern asbestos removal and handling, chose not to follow these standards and put its workers, including young inexperienced college students in harm’s way,” Jordon Barab, acting Assistant Secretary for OSHA, said in a statement. OSHA is the federal agency charged with promoting safe working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and providing training and education.
OSHA investigators found that several Cambria Contracting workers who were cleaning up debris, had not been training in asbestos hazards or how to protect themselves. They were not wearing protective clothing or respirators and had not been informed of the presence of asbestos at the site. OSHA said the demolition contractor failed to establish an asbestos work area at the site and used debris removal methods that can cause asbestos fibers to be released into the air.
The former warehouse is being renovated for offices and housing, the Buffalo News reported.
OSHA cited Cambria for willful violations which are defined as violations committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for worker safety and health.
“This employer knew that training and other safeguards, which are well-known in the industry were required, yet chose not to provide them,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s New York regional administrator. “That is unacceptable and needlessly placed the health of these workers at risk.”
Cambria has 15 days to contest the citations and proposed penalties.
Arthur Dube, OSHA’s Buffalo area director, added, “ Asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard since inhalation of asbestos fibers may lead to lung cancer and other diseases. As exposures frequently occur during renovation and demolition work, we strongly urge contractors to ensure that their workers are adequately trained and protected against asbestos harzards.”
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