Asbestos Exposure Verdict: Corporation Must Pay Maximum Fine
This US News article reported on January 13, 2018 that in Berlin, Wisconsin, at a Grede factory, workers were exposed to high levels of asbestos after they were ordered to remove insulation that contained asbestos. Federal prosecutors discovered that managers failed to provide employees with adequate safety equipment. They didn’t even tell the workers that asbestos was present while they were removing the material from the roof of an inactive industrial oven. As a result, the corporation will have to pay the maximum fine, according to a plea deal, plus they will provide 11 workers with more than $340,000 for future medical monitoring for mesothelioma and other asbestos-linked lung problems.
This could have been prevented
Perhaps you’re a manager of a corporation, and you’re not sure whether your building contains harmful materials. Don’t be like other people and just ignore the problem – call H2 Environmental Consulting Services at (800) 524-3578 to schedule a full environmental evaluation of your property. Protect your workers from serious harm and protect your corporation from having to pay steep fines.
What’s the big deal about asbestos?
You may be wondering why asbestos exposure is such a big deal, and why the plea deal included stipulations that this corporation pay the maximum fine. First, let’s back up and define asbestos. Surely you’ve heard of it, but you may not know what it is exactly. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that has been banned by the Environmental Protection Agency since the late 1970s. Asbestos exposure has been linked to the development of serious diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other lung problems. Being exposed to asbestos can have lifelong effects, so precautions must be taken to prevent exposure.
The problem is that when materials that contain asbestos are disturbed – such as during demolition or renovation – the microscopic fibers are released into the air, where they can then be inhaled. Asbestos fibers make their way into the lungs, where they can accumulate and wreak havoc.
Not sure if your property contains asbestos?
Whether you own or manage a residential or commercial property, it’s essential that you protect all occupants from asbestos exposure. Even a small amount of asbestos exposure is a big deal. Thankfully H2 Environmental Consulting Services is here to help. We provide complete asbestos testing and remediation services. We’ll test every molecule of your property to determine whether and where asbestos is present, and if it is detected, we’ll come up with a meticulous plan to thoroughly remove it. You won’t have to worry about putting your occupant’s health at risk or incurring drastic liability costs when you rely on H2 Environmental Consulting Services for all your asbestos testing and remediation needs throughout Southern California.
Call H2 Environmental Consulting Services at (800) 524-3578 to schedule your environmental evaluation today.
