Asbestos violations cited at Bend, Oregon mobile home park

Dec 12, 2008

Two contractors, Hoviss Build Group LLC and Willamette Builders Group LLC, have been fined $15,000 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for performing asbestos removal projects without valid licenses and for failing to properly dispose of asbestos-containing materials. The violations occurred during the demolition of mobile homes units at the Sun Country Mobile Home Park in Bend, Oregon. The contractors have 20 days to appeal.

An asbestos survey showed that asbestos-containing paint covered the roofs of at least three of the mobile home units, but the contractors failed to bring in licensed asbestos abatement specialists to handle the roof demolition. When the roofs were disturbed, paint chipped off and may have released asbestos fibers into the air, which can cause dangerous exposures for people in the area. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.

A license in asbestos abatement signals that the contractor understands how to limit the risk of any asbestos releases during the project—for example, by wetting and properly containing asbestos-containing materials.

The Department of Environmental Quality also fined the owner of Sun Country Mobile Home Park, Central Oregon Investors, LLC, $16,651 for allowing the asbestos removal project to be handled by unlicensed contractors. Central Oregon Investors has appealed the penalty against it.

For the full story, go to the KHOD News.

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