|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2003 - 03/05/2003 - Inaccurate Asbestos Exposure Records Lead to Nearly $51,000 in OSHA Fines for North Adams, Mass., Employer |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
Region 1 BOS 2003-043 March 5, 2003 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 Inaccurate Asbestos Exposure Records Lead to Nearly $51,000 in
OSHA Fines for North Adams, Mass., Employer SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- A North Adams, Mass., asbestos removal contractor's failure to maintain accurate records of its workers' exposure to asbestos has resulted in a total of $50,900 in fines from the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. GEM Environmental Services has been cited for alleged willful and serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act following an OSHA inspection begun Jan. 3, 2003, in response to an employee complaint. OSHA's inspection identified eight instances where the company intentionally failed to accurately record or keep measurements of employees' asbestos exposure during an asbestos removal job at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield in the summer of 2002, explained Ronald E. Morin, OSHA's Western Mass. area director. He noted that inhalation of asbestos fibers by workers can lead to serious lung diseases over time. "That's why proper exposure monitoring is so critical for workers. It's the tool by which employers can promptly spot overexposures and take swift, effective steps to reduce them," he said. "Otherwise, inaccurate monitoring leads to inadequate safeguards and increased risk to employees' health and well-being." As a result, OSHA has cited GEM Environmental for an alleged willful violation, the most severe category of OSHA citation, and proposed a fine of $44,000. A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. An additional $6,900 in fines was proposed for six hazards classified as serious. They involve failure to monitor employees' asbestos exposure while cleaning equipment at GEM's headquarters; failure to calibrate air sampling pumps; missing or incomplete records of respirator use, pump calibration and duration times; and a defective power cord. OSHA defines a serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. GEM Environmental has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to either elect to comply with them, to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The OSHA area office in Springfield conducted the inspection. The telephone number is (413) 785-0123. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting America's workers. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ###
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7773 or TTY (202) 693-7755. |
|
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
 Back to Top |
www.osha.gov | www.dol.gov |
Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers |
||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |
||
