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U.S. Department of Labor | |
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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2002 - 07/18/2002 - Corpus Christi Firm's Failure to Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure Brings OSHA Citations, Penalties |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 6 News Release: OSHA-02-121 Thurs., July 18, 2002 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 Exposure Brings OSHA Citations, Penalties DALLAS -- A Corpus Christi, Texas, company's alleged failure to protect employees from potential asbestos exposure has resulted in 14 citations and proposed penalties of $167,775 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Meridian Contracting Inc., a general contractor that employs about 60 workers, was cited for four alleged willful and 11 alleged serious violations following an inspection begun in January of a work site at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, where company employees were removing the roof and siding of a hangar. The alleged willful violations were for failing to have a competent person conduct asbestos exposure assessments; failing to monitor employees for exposure to asbestos; failing to remove asbestos materials in a regulated area and failing to exercise general supervisory authority at the project site. A willful violation is defined as one in which there is evidence of an intentional violation of the OSHA Act or plain indifference to its requirements. The alleged serious violations included failing to have regular jobsite inspections for asbestos contained areas; failing to use labels identify asbestos contained material; failing to use warning signs marking regulated areas; failing to inform workers of the presence of asbestos; failing to prohibit dry sweeping of debris and failing to properly clean up and dispose of asbestos contained waste. A serious violation 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. Employers and employees with questions regarding safety and health standards can contact the OSHA Corpus Christi area office at (361) 888-3420, or call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 1-800-321-6742, to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers. Meridian Contracting Inc. has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to either comply, request an informal conference with the Corpus Christi OSHA area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. |
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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