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OSHA proposes $110,000 in fines for alleged asbestos problems
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June 25, 2008
A hospital is facing $110,000 in fines from OSHA for allegedly not following federal requirements for asbestos handling and disposal.
An inspection at Niagara Falls (NY) Memorial Medical Center, prompted by an employee’s complaint, found the following violations, according to OSHA:
- Hospital employees removed asbestos-containing material from a steel beam without wearing proper protective clothing and respirators
- The hospital failed to properly dispose of the material
- Employees’ work clothes weren’t properly decontaminated
- Staff members didn’t monitor the work area for asbestos levels
- The hospital didn’t inform other employees about the asbestos-containing material
In a statement, the hospital said it has cooperated with OSHA during its investigation and intended to present information to the agency that might lower the fine, according to the Buffalo News.
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