U-Haul Exposed Workers to Asbestos
U-Haul was fined $231,000 for knowingly exposing workers to asbestos.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Feb 13, 2025
Mechanics at a U-Haul facility in Spokane, Wash. were unknowingly exposed to hazardous asbestos while working on rental trucks, as deteriorating vinyl flooring in the building released the toxic material into the air. Now, their employer must pay a $231,000 fine issued by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) for knowingly endangering workers.
According to a statement from L&I, U-Haul of Spokane purchased a former K-Mart in 2019 and began renovations without testing the nearly 60-year-old building for asbestos. An investigation by the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA) later determined that all 90,000 square feet of vinyl floor tiles and adhesive in the building contained asbestos. SRCAA fined U-Haul at the time and provided guidance on safely proceeding with renovations.
Asbestos is highly dangerous when disturbed and can cause fatal diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Only certified abatement contractors are legally allowed to remove and dispose of asbestos-containing materials.
Unsafe Practices at U-Haul Service Center
Despite the SRCAA warnings, U-Haul coated some of the tiles with epoxy and hired a certified asbestos removal company to handle part of the job. However, when the service center opened in March 2023, approximately 7,400 square feet of asbestos-containing tiles remained in place.
L&I inspectors found that mechanics were instructed to dispose of loosened tiles in regular trash, unaware they were handling asbestos. Between 200 and 300 square feet of tiles were thrown away this way. In other areas of the building, workers used shovels, putty knives, and even a torch to remove tiles without proper safety equipment, wearing only disposable gloves and safety glasses instead of required respirators and other protective gear. None of the workers had the necessary training or certification for asbestos removal.
“Not only did U-Haul management know this dangerous practice was happening, they encouraged it,” said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. “And to make matters worse, this isn’t the first time they’ve had issues with handling this deadly material. We hope the fine moves U-Haul to create safer workplaces for its employees.”
Repeat Violations
In addition to the Spokane violations, the same U-Haul franchise owner was cited and fined by California OSHA in 2019 after employees used demolition equipment to remove asbestos-containing flooring from a K-Mart building purchased in Santa Barbara County.
L&I’s citation, issued in late 2024, lists 16 serious asbestos-related violations, some classified as willful—meaning the company knew or should have known the requirements but failed to comply. Violations include failing to use certified workers for asbestos removal and neglecting to inform employees of the material’s presence.
U-Haul has not yet publicly responded to the fine.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.