Dartmouth, NH – A tank removal firm on a tearing down project at Massachusetts Dartmouth University (UMD) in year 2010 has been fined $10887 by the United States Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for violating federal asbestos regulations. Wakefield-based Commonwealth Tank was carrying out a demolition project for a boiler factory at 285 Old Westport Rd. on 24th June, when the DEP conducted a surprise inspection at that facility. Commonwealth Tank was tearing down a piping tunnel, a press release by the DEP says. An inspector with the agency discovered broken parts of weighty concrete had fallen onto pipe insulation containing asbestos. The inspectors also found that the workers had tried to wet the damaged region using garden hose. The inspector took sent them to a DEP lab. The DEP then confirmed that asbestos material was present in the busted insulation as well as caulking. “Anybody who works around or on oil tanks, especially on the thermal insulation, should be aware of the possible presence of materials containing asbestos. Workers with Commonwealth Tank must make sure that they are doing proper procedures and following all the safety guidelines, or otherwise, their own safety and health and people in the surroundings are at the risk of exposure to hazardous asbestos fibers. After the inspection, the DEP asked the company to stop the work. The agency asked Commonwealth Tank to retain a licensed asbestos contractor’s services in order to get approval for a plan to finish the work. The cleanup job was completed on 13th July, 2010. The cleanup project was finished without violating any applicable regulations. Contractors or property owners with queries regarding materials containing asbestos, proper removal, dealing, packing, storage and disposal methods, or regarding any regulations relating to asbestos management, can contact the proper Regional Office of the DEP for help. According to Robert Lamontagne, a UMD spokesperson, the inspection conducted by the DEP was triggered by one of the university representatives who reported the issue to the agency. “The safety and health of our staff, faculty and students are important to us. Nothing else is more significant,” Lamontagne said. “We anticipate any company or contractor to abide by the letter as well as all local’s spirit, and state & federal regulations,” he added. Following the investigation, the demolition company was asked to hire a specialist contractor for completing the work and it was finished in July, Lamontagne said. The company officials have not commented on the issue so far.
