Asbestos Negligence in Boston ends up in State Fine

Improper removal of amphibole at a Fitchburg power station website being restored last year has resulted during a Haverhill company facing a minimum of $3,000 in fines by state regulators. 

One one hand, our Boston amphibole exposure attorneys square measure grateful that state regulators square measure being watchful with relevance making certain corporations square measure control responsible after they violate state laws meant to guard staff, the surroundings and therefore the general public. On the opposite hand, we have a tendency to should marvel however seriously corporations take these matters once the fine is thus very small.

When the value to properly strip, handle and eliminate this virulent material is over what the corporate goes to pay in fines if they do not, it\'s nearly seen as a price of doing business. Most simply hope they do not get caught.

This not solely puts dishonest corporations at a plus, it doubtless puts all folks in danger of sickness. It particularly puts workers\' health on the road.

According to media reports, the contractors, whereas operating employment last summer, did not follow amphibole removal procedures as arranged  forth by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

An examination of the previous Gas and power plant in Fitchburg last August discovered that the contractors were careless with amphibole waste product. Specifically, staff were seen golf stroke pipes insulated with amphibole during a wide open instrumentality while not properly wetting the fabric. Neither did the staff properly seal the pipes in properly-labeled, leak-resistant containers. These square measure all things needed by the MassDEP in handling amphibole waste.

Thoroughly wetting amphibole and asbestos-containing materials throughout the method of removing, handling and packaging it all for disposal helps to forestall the virulent fibers from changing into mobile. This helps to attenuate the danger to staff similarly because the general public.

What is particularly regarding regarding this case is that it concerned a authorised amphibole contractor. thus this can be an organization that the majority actually knew higher - or ought to have celebrated higher. Their practices and procedures ought to be air-tight. Andy deviation from that\'s either a dangerous cost-cutting methodology or straightforward carelessness that can\'t be tolerated.

Statute 310 CMR seven.15 needs that property homeowners and/or contractors advise the MassDEP a minimum of ten operating days before distressing amphibole. the owner/contractor additionally includes a responsibility to confirm that any and every one asbestos-containing material is correctly handled and disposed. The state regulator does not issue site-specific permits, however it\'ll every which way examine job sites to confirm that job is finished in accordance with its rules.

That includes rules that mandate specific measures to forestall the fibers from changing into untangled or uncovered and provisions to protect staff returning in direct contact with the fabric by providing adequate metastasis protection gear.

Still, we have a tendency to powerfully believe that the threat of stiffer fines would function a bigger deterrent within the dodging of safety rules.