A supervisor with an asbestos abatement company, and his employer, have pleaded guilty to charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and were fined, after workers were exposed to asbestos dust on a job site.
The supervisor was fined $4,000.00 after pleading guilty to failing to ensure workers used protective clothing and equipment.
Three workers were working on an asbestos abatement project at a single-family home. The abatement area was enclosed. In that area, certain asbestos containing materials had been removed and there was an asbestos dust hazard present.
A Ministry of Labour inspector attended and conducted an inspection. The inspector found one of the workers exiting the enclosed area wearing street clothing. Two other workers were found inside the enclosed area not wearing protective clothing; one was performing clean-up and the other was securing bags filled with asbestos-containing material.
The Ministry of Labour, in its press release, states that “There is potential for harm when workers and others are exposed to even small amounts of asbestos.”
The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that only persons wearing protective clothing and equipment enter a work area where there is an asbestos dust hazard. The company was fined $25,000.00.
The Ministry of Labour generally does not put out a press release for cases involving a fine of less than $50,000.00. It appears from this and other press releases in asbestos cases, though, that the MOL may make an exception for cases involving asbestos.
The Ministry of Labour’s press release may be read here.
