Jan. 22, 2018 #18-004
Asbestos
violations put hotel construction workers at risk and result in large fine
TUMWATER — A Seattle hotel owner who knew his building
contained asbestos decided to cut corners and save money by removing it using
untrained workers. As a result, the Seattle Pacific Hotel has been cited for multiple
egregious safety and health violations and faces $355,000 in fines for exposing
the workers to asbestos hazards.
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has cited
the hotel for a dozen “willful” violations, the most severe, for knowingly
exposing workers to asbestos during the hotel remodeling.
“It’s unconscionable that anyone would knowingly
expose untrained and unprotected workers to asbestos. It’s an extremely
hazardous material that’s notorious for causing cancer and other serious health
issues,” said
Anne Soiza, L&I’s assistant director for
the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
L&I began its investigation last July and immediately
issued a stop-work order when it discovered that asbestos removal was being
done by workers who were not trained or certified to safely perform the work.
During the lobby renovation, an asbestos-abatement
contractor had discovered that much of the ceiling was originally constructed
with cement-asbestos-board. The L&I investigation found that the hotel
owner, Raj Nariya, had gotten an estimate from the certified asbestos-abatement
contractor who discovered the issue, but didn’t hire that firm. Instead, the
owner had untrained employees of a roofing contractor do the work without
letting them know the ceiling contained asbestos.
Asbestos is extremely hazardous and can cause potentially
fatal diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Removal and
disposal of asbestos-containing building materials must be done by a certified
abatement contractor who follows safety and health rules to protect workers and
the public.
The L&I investigation found a total of 12 willful workplace
health violations related to removal of the asbestos. Ten of the violations
carried a penalty of $35,000 each, the maximum amount allowed for an employer
of its size.
The violations cited were for exposing workers to asbestos, failing
to provide respiratory protection, leaving asbestos debris on site and other safety
and health issues. The hotel owner was also cited for an additional
willful-general violation for not taking a pre-removal air sample before
removing the asbestos-materials. That violation came with a $5,000 fine.
The
employer has 15 business days to appeal the citation.
Penalty
money paid as a result of a citation is placed in the workers' compensation
supplemental pension fund, helping injured workers and families of those who
have died on the job.
For a copy of
the citations, please contact Public Affairs at 360-902-5413 .
For media information: Elaine.Fischer@Lni.wa.gov or 360-902-5413.
Connect with L&I: Facebook (facebook.com/laborandindustries) and Twitter (twitter.com/lniwa)
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