DEQ issues $36,000 penalty to Washington state contractor for asbestos work
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $36,000 civil penalty to Viktory Excavation & Concrete LLC, for performing an asbestos abatement project without being licensed by DEQ and having an open accumulation of friable asbestos at 7260 SW Benz Park Dr., in Portland, OR. An additional $150 was issued for avoiding to pay the notification fee. DEQ additionally cited, without penalty, for failure to conduct an asbestos survey, failing to notify DEQ of a friable asbestos abatement project and for allowing uncertified people to perform asbestos abatement work.
DEQ assessed this penalty due to the danger of asbestos fibers to the public. The violation had the potential to release asbestos fibers into the air with possible exposure to workers and the public. Asbestos fibers are known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. There is no known safe level of exposure. To protect the public from these hazards, DEQ requires that only licensed asbestos abatement contractors handle asbestos-containing materials and that materials be adequately enclosed to prevent the release of asbestos fibers. The failure to follow these requirements could have presented a significant risk to the public.
View enforcement notice at https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/032417Viktory.pdf
Contacts
Zeb Bates, Asbestos Inspector, DEQ, Portland, 503-229-5364, bates.zebuliah@deq.state.or.us
Rick Grisel, Environmental Law Specialist, DEQ, Portland, 503-229-5422, grisel.richard@deq.state.or.us