Mesothelioma fears lead to OSHA fines for Superior General Contracting

Nov 3, 2009

Superior General Contracting of Cheektowaga, New York has been cited for 10 alleged serious workplace health violations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The contractor is looking at $50,000 in fines related to a remodeling job site where workers were exposed to asbestos-containing pipe insulation.

OSHA claims that Superior General did not determine asbestos exposure levels, did not keep asbestos debris wet, did not provide HEPA vacuum cleaners for collecting dust and debris, did not ensure prompt cleanup and disposal of asbestos-containing debris in leak-tight containers, did not ensure that workers used respirators appropriately, did not require workers to wear protective clothing, did not perform all work in a regulated area, did not provide workers with appropriate training and did not ensure that the asbestos work was supervised by a competent person who had the knowledge and authority to identify and abate hazards.

The area director for OSHA said that Superior General should have provided the required safeguards in order to protect its workers. Asbestos is a known carcinogen. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can lead to serious asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. By disregarding OSHA’s asbestos standards, Superior General increased their workers’ risk of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses. The contractor was given 15 days from the receipt of the citations and penalties to either comply, contest the findings, or participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director.

For the full story, go to Occupational Health & Safety.

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