Contractor Fined $45,000 & Jailed for 30 Days for Asbestos Violations

A contractor and at least one worker went to a home to remove asbestos-containing insulation from the attic. The work area wasn’t separated and sealed off from the rest of the home, while the removal was being done. No decontamination facilities were in place to prevent the spread of dust. The work area wasn’t identified with any signs warning of an asbestos dust hazard. The contractor and worker didn’t wear any protective clothing. And containers for the dust and waste weren’t dust tight or identified as asbestos waste. Lastly, their respirators weren’t fit-tested. In addition, the MOL hadn’t been notified about the asbestos removal work as required. Plus, the homeowner was present in the home along with two other individuals during part of the removal. After a trial, the court convicted the contractor of nine violations of the OHS Act and the Asbestos Regulation. The court found that the contractor had shown a total disregard not only for the health and safety of his workers but also for the public. So it imposed a 30-day jail sentence and a $45,000 fine [Daniel Lane, Govt. News Release, Jan. 15, 2016].