Baton Rouge, LA Companies Cited by OSHA for Asbestos Violations

In June 2009, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it had fined three Baton Rouge, LA area companies for three alleged willful and 10 alleged serious violations of federal regulations governing the removal of asbestos. The companies are facing possible penalties totaling $112,000.

The three willful violations were:

Failure to provide a competent person to supervise the removal of a ceiling that contained asbestos;

Failure to provide the required respiratory equipment; and

Failure to inform workers that the worksite contained asbestos.

The serious violations included:

Failing to monitor for asbestos materials;

Failing to utilize engineering controls to determine and minimize employee exposure to asbestos

Failing to provide and ensure the use of personal protective equipment, to properly manage contaminated clothing and asbestos containing waste and to train employees engaged in the removal of asbestos.

The companies were charged in connection to work being performed at a commercial insurance building in downtown Baton Rouge.

Even limited exposure to asbestos is known to cause serious illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer or asbestosis.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, contact our lawyers today for a free review of your case. A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.