Asbestos exposure was the center of a recent violation in New York. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Lorice Enterprises with nine health and safety violations. These involved asbestos exposure. Proposed fines total $83,300. The violations stem from an August 2012 inspection involving asbestos exposure.
Located in Albany, New York, Lorice Enterprises was established in 2003. The company provides asbestos removal services. OSHA initiated the inspection at the suggestion of the New York State Asbestos Control Bureau. The willful violation involved failure to perform daily monitoring for asbestos exposure. A violation is considered willful when there is an intentional disregard of safety laws and standards.
The eight serious violations cite failure to wear protective equipment properly. It also includes the failure to prevent airborne exposure. A violation is considered serious when death or serious injury could result from the hazard.
Asbestos, a common fire retardant, is used often in older buildings. Exposure involves direct breathing of the substance without protective equipment. Respirators are readily used in the remediation process. However, protective equipment is always required in this operation.
Kimberly Castillon, OSHA’s area director in Albany stated Lorice Enterprises ignored important safety measures while dealing with the removal of asbestos. The company failed to address worker safety and protection with regard to asbestos exposure. Lorice Enterprises has an obligation to protect employees.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) website offers various tip sheets and educational resources on asbestos removal. You obtain these resources by accessing the following link, www.osha.gov. Specific asbestos related information is included in the resources section of this article.
In our OSHA 30 Hour General Industry Outreach Training Course, a thorough education is given on the hazards of various toxic substances including asbestos. Manager and supervisors are advised to take this course for a solid understanding of this and other common safety hazards that affect employees.
Resources
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_AsbestosFacts/asbestos-factsheet.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/standards.html