Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Fined for AsbestosNiagara Falls, New York - Alleged improper asbestos removal during a winter renovation project has caused the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center to face $110,000 in fines.
The hospital was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the improper removal and disposal of asbestos-containing material and potential lack of employee precautions.
A prepared release was issued by the medical center indicating that officials cooperated with OSHA inspectors and initiated corrections as the agency suggested. According to the release, all of the corrections were completed during the course of OSHA's inspection.
An employee complaint prompted an OSHA inspection that found several potential hazards including employees removing the material without correct protective clothing, respirators and training. In addition, the work area was not monitored for asbestos levels and the asbestos material was not properly disposed of.
Arthur Dube, OSHA's area director in Buffalo commented that "There was a breakdown in the deployment of necessary precautions before, during and after this work, and the gravity of the hazardous situation is reflected in the sizeable fines that have been proposed." "Employees were placed at risk of debilitating disease because the medical center failed to supply and ensure basic and required safeguards."
Lung cancer and other diseases like mesothelioma can develop as a result of prolonged exposure to asbestos. The citations must be responded to within 15 days by the hospital.
According to a statement by the medical center, "Memorial Medical Center will request an informal conference with OSHA to provide information that we believe will support our belief that the proposed penalties and citations should be adjusted."
