Asbestos News
Canadian company fined for asbestos violations during demolition
A St. John's, Newfoundland-based construction company was recently sentenced after pleading guilty to two asbestos violations.According to a release from the Canadian province's Department of Government Services, the violations committed by Kelloway Construction occurred during demolition work on the old Janeway children's hospital. The company will have to pay $10,000 in fines and an additional $3,000 to the department to educate the public on work safety.
One of the charges against the company alleged that it did not do all that it could to ensure that employees were exposed to the lowest levels of asbestos possible.
Abundant caution is necessary during demolition projects as such work can cause asbestos to become airborne. If this naturally occurring substance is inhaled by anyone in the area it can lead to a number of serious illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma, a rare and often fatal cancer.
The company was alleged to have committed six violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act but after the firm pleaded guilty to two of the charges, the remaining four were withdrawn.
7/29/11
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