OSHA Cites Louisiana Companies for Asbestos Violations ($112,000 )

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/southcentral/2009/06/25/101734.htm

June 25, 2009

U.S. Labor Department's OSHA has cited three Baton Rouge, La.-based employers $112,000 for alleged asbestos violations.

Louisiana Health Care Consultants LLC, Dean Building Holdings and Bob Dean Enterprises Inc. jointly were cited for three alleged willful and 10 alleged serious violations of federal health and safety regulations.

"These companies failed to follow OSHA's standards for asbestos-related projects in the construction industry," said Dean McDaniel, the agency's regional administrator in Dallas. "Employers must be committed to keeping the workplace safe and healthful to prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities."

The willful violations were issued for failing to provide a competent person to supervise the removal of a ceiling that contained asbestos, to provide the required respiratory equipment and to inform workers that the worksite contained asbestos. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Serious violations included failing to monitor for asbestos materials, to utilize engineering controls to determine and minimize employee exposure to asbestos, to provide and ensure the use of personal protective equipment, to properly manage contaminated clothing and asbestos containing waste and to train employees engaged in the removal of asbestos. Serious violations are issued when there is a substantial probability that death or serious injury and/or illness could occur from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

FULL story at link.

[pleah]

1. K&R