Storm Blows up Unrest Over Asbestos

Article Added February 20th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

A storm that blew over the Rosa Tanks site on Saturday gave residents a scare, since three workers were seen to be removing asbestos in the high winds and volatile conditions.

The flagrant disregard to health and safety guidelines in respect to containment and safe removal of asbestos raises doubt about whether the contractor and it’s operatives are qualified to remove the hazardous material. Along with exposing the poison to shifting, gusting winds, no signs were put up to inform the public that work was going to be in process to remove asbestos before the work began. A hastily constructed shed of black plastic sheeting was all that protected the public from exposure; while two of the workers involved wore protective clothing and masks, the third worker wore no protection at all.

The shed covering was flapping in the high winds, which kept it from providing adequate protection to the workers or the public as they drove past. Buckets were used to remove the rubble, which were dumped into white plastic sacks regardless of the wind. The surrounding residents have expressed concern over the methods being used for the asbestos removal, since asbestos-filled dust was seen blowing across the street as the buckets were being dumped. The buckets were not cleaned, and were left exposed at the site after working hours.

Article Added February 20th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story