Asbestos Violations Lead to Fine

A construction company has been cited for asbestos violations and fined $10,887 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) after it improperly handled loose asbestos during a 2010 boiler plant demolition.

Commonwealth Tank of Wakefield was in the middle of a boiler plant demolition project on a piece of land owned by the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth on June 24, 2010 when MassDEP officials conducted an unannounced inspection. During it they found that broken sections of heavy concrete had fallen onto asbestos-containing pipe insulation. While workers from the company had attempted to wet the insulation in order to limit any asbestos exposure, lab samples confirmed that asbestos material had beenexposed in the broken insulation.

"Anyone who works on or around oil tanks, particularly the thermal-system insulation, has got to be aware of the prospect of asbestos-containing materials," said Philip Weinberg, director of MassDEP's Southeast Regional Office. "Commonwealth Tank workers must ensure that proper procedures are in place and carried out without exception, or else their own health and safety and anyone nearby is at risk from exposure to asbestos fibers."

Following the asbestos discovery, work on the site was stopped until Commonwealth Tank submitted an approval plan to a licensed and certified asbestos contractor. The project was finally completed weeks later on July 13.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma that can be attributed to asbestos exposure earlier in life, there may be legal action worth looking into. Call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing an asbestos lawsuit.

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