Contractors Could Face Prison Over Asbestos
Article Added February 19th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
Prison time and a $3 million fine could follow suit to contractors that have been charged with introducing asbestos into the ventilation system of the Salinas courthouse.
If convicted, the contractors would be forced to pay a $3 million fine and two of the company managers could face prison terms of up to three years, according to the Attorney General’s office. The potential penalties are another step in pushing the seriousness of asbestos allegations. The uncommon felony charges for work place violations are not unheard of. The harshness is due to the fact that the company had full knowledge of the law and they ignored it, which creates an egregious risk. Nova Partners Inc. and Skanska USA Buildings Inc. won the rights to the courthouse rebuilding contracts in early 2004, which would involve removing asbestos from the old walls and ceilings.
The project managers of the two companies, as well as the companies as a whole, were charged with eight felonies and five misdemeanors for releasing asbestos into the air vents of the courthouse twice in early 2005. This, according to the Attorney General’s office, caused an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. Some of the charges stacked against the companies include disposal and storage of asbestos at an unauthorized site, reckless disposal and storage, failure to take safety precautions and reckless emission of air contaminants, which endangered the public.
Article Added February 19th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
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