A warehouse owner will be slapped with penalties after removing asbestos in violation of state regulations, a Labor Department spokeswoman reported Friday.
West Solloway, who owns warehouse tenant Fort Knox Self Storage, said material containing asbestos was found in the building in June. Solloway said he complained repeatedly to the city and state about the improper asbestos removal, and noticed workers were not were not protected while working in the building, which is the former Classy Leather Goods warehouse in Middletown, N.Y. The warehouse also houses a program run by the Family Empowerment Council, which provides services to people with disabilities.
On Oct. 14, a city building inspector found workers ready to leave the premises in a van to dump bags of asbestos-containing materials. The inspector shut down the operation on the spot, sealing off the entire area.
Under state law, asbestos removal may be done only by state-certified contractors, using certified workers, proper procedures and proper safety equipment. Contractors are required to give the state 10 days notice of asbestos work, and must have a valid permit.
The property owner will be cited for failing to use a contractor certified in asbestos removal, for using workers not certified to perform asbestos removal, and for doing the job improperly, a Labor Department spokeswoman said.
Source: Times Herald-Record, Improper Asbestos Removal Means Penalties for Owner
Related Articles:
Coverage for Limited Pollution Removal
Beware Asbestos in U.K. and European Conversions
Hazardous Waste: Protecting Yourself and Your Storage Facility
Self-Storage Talk: Office Makeover
