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July 17, 2013
Warren, Michigan - When Universal Consolidated Enterprises was hired to demolish an old house in the city of Warren, Michigan, they were glad to have the work. But when they found out that those doing the job may have been exposed to asbestos, the company was angered by the oversight and concerned that their workers may suffer as a result of that exposure. Now, the city faces fines for their failure to notify the contractor that there was asbestos inside the decaying structure.
According to an article in The Macomb Daily, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has fined the city of Warren for not notifying Universal Consolidated Enterprises about the presence of a variety of asbestos materials in the home and accompanying shed on Fisher Avenue, which the company demolished earlier this year. The fines follow an investigation by the state’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration (MIOSHA), prompted by complaints from one of the contractor’s employees that they were exposed to asbestos while working at the site.
MIOSHA also reports that city officials did not submit a written “notification of demolition” request to the state’s asbestos program. Those officials, in response, stated that they believed those particular requirements did not apply to the city, which was also fined for “not taking steps to determine the presence, location and quantity of asbestos-containing materials at the work site.”
The infractions have been classified as “serious”, which means that “a hazard exists that has a likelihood of causing serious physical harm or death.” Chances are that those who were affected by the city’s violations may also press charges against the city for its negligence, especially since asbestos exposure can lead to serious diseases such as mesothelioma cancer.
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