Douglass Colony Group Inc. Cited for Exposing Workers to Asbestos
The Commercial roofer faces $81,000 in fines
According to a news release from OSHA, Commercial roofer Douglass Colony Group Inc. was cited for four repeat and seven serious violations for failing to protect workers from exposure to asbestos at a Denver work site. The Proposed penalties total $81,000.
“Asbestos is a dangerous material that can potentially cause lifelong, irreversible health problems if proper procedures are not followed,” said Herb Gibson, OSHA’s area director in Denver, in the statement. “OSHA’s asbestos standard has a specific work practice covering roofing operations that the employer failed to follow, exposing workers to needless health hazards.”
Three of the four repeat violations were cited for failure to provide a competent supervisor to oversee the removal of asbestos-containing material, conduct an asbestos exposure assessment and provide adequate training for workers performing asbestos removal duties. These violations come with a $45,000 penalty. The fourth repeat violation was cited for failure to remove asbestos-containing material properly to minimize potential release of airborne asbestos; use mist-cutting machines appropriately; and use ventilation for dust collection and proper containment and transfer of asbestos-containing material.
Seven serious violations, with a penalty of #21,000, were cited for failing to conduct asbestos removal work within a regulated area; conduct daily air monitoring to determine employee exposure; provide protective respiratory equipment and clothing; identify and inform workers and others of the presence, quantity and location of asbestos-containing material; and label waste containers holding asbestos products.