The McNeil Island Corrections Facility in Washington has recently received several citations and a fine of $28,400 for two willful and seven serious violations relating to work completed in 2007.

According to state records, inmates at the facility raised concerns when they were forced to remove asbestos-containing tiles without protective equipment and safety precautions. Other reports stated their concerns were ignored by supervisors. The incident occurred in November and December of 2007.

Incredibly, two supervisors involved in the project even had state certifications in asbestos removal, yet disregarded to use proper asbestos removal methods. According to the report on the incident, “All asbestos certification classes, for workers and supervisors, emphasize the use of water as a universal control of asbestos fibers. A certified asbestos supervisor should know the proper method of removing class 2 asbestos materials.”

However, no such methods were used, as one of the supervisors told the prison that water was not needed to reduce the amount of asbestos dust. Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they most commonly attach themselves to the mesothelial lining of the lungs to form pleural mesothelioma. In addition to the lungs, the lining of the heart and abdomen can also contract this harmful disease. 

The case files of the State Department of Labor and Industries say at least 18 people may have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers.

Prison officials said they believed the work was carried out correctly and safely, and that they did not think the Puget Sound Clean Air Act asbestos regulations applied to the work that was being completed.

The State Director of Prisons has ordered a review of the incident, and the Department of Corrections has appealed the ruling from the Department of Labor and Industries. However, they have only asked for the severity of some violations to be reduced, and that the prison be allowed to use some of the fine money to train maintenance workers and supervisors in working safely with and around asbestos.

The violations include not using wetting agents to reduce dust, not using a HEPA-filter vacuum or respirator, allowing offenders without certification in asbestos removal to perform the work, and failure to provide those working nearby with written warning of the presence of asbestos.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 11:33 am and is filed under Asbestos Exposure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.