Asbestos Violations Cited on College Maintenance Project
OSHA's Charleston, W.Va. Area Office investigated Sodexho Inc. for removal work at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, W.Va.
OSHA has cited Sodexho Inc. in a case involving $81,000 in proposed penalties and 12 alleged serious violations, following an investigation by the agency's Charleston, W.Va. Area Office of an asbestos removal project by maintenance workers at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, W.Va.
OSHA said the serious violations include failing to provide respirators, protective clothing, and training for employees performing Class II asbestos work; inform workers of the location and quantities of asbestos-containing material; provide workers who voluntarily wear dust masks with Appendix D information of the Respirator Standard on the use of dusts masks or respirators; ensure that Class II asbestos work was conducted in regulated areas and supervised by a competent person; conduct daily monitoring to assess employee exposure and airborne concentration exposure; ensure proper disposal of ceiling tiles; ensure wet methods were used when conducting Class II asbestos work; and equip vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters.
"Asbestos work poses serious safety and health risks to workers, including lung disease and other disorders," said Prentice Cline, director of the Area Office. "Sodexho must immediately correct these violations to ensure that its employees have a safe and healthful work environment."
Sodexho, which has its headquarters in Gaithersburg, Md., employs about 25 workers at Alderson-Broaddus College and is responsible for grounds work, housekeeping, and security, according to OSHA. Sodexho has 15 business days after receiving the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with the area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.