Flooring Contractor Agrees To Pay Penalty For Asbestos Violation -- MesoLink.org -- 11-01-05

A flooring contractor accused of violating the Clean Air Act through asbestos violations has agreed to pay over $20,000 as a civil penalty to resolve the claims made by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Rhode Island contractor was accused of the violation during some renovation work carried out in a Rhode Island church in 2003. McGovern’s Floor Covering Inc. was cited with several violations of asbestos regulations.

The EPA filed an administrative complaint in March stating that the flooring company had violated several regulations known as “Asbestos NESHAP”, which relates to renovations and demolitions. The violations were alleged to have taken place at the Barrington Congregational Church where the flooring company was renovating two classrooms.

It is claimed that the flooring company used a high speed sander and grinder on the vinyl flooring, and this was later found to contain asbestos. Church officials are said to have halted the work due to the dust being generated in the area and amidst worries of asbestos contamination. Testing of the area was requested, and the results from the test showed that asbestos was indeed present.

An EPA spokesperson stated: “It is important for companies working in areas that could potentially disturb unknown hazards, such as asbestos or lead paint, conduct a thorough investigation before beginning work. By taking these precautions, contractors can ensure that dangerous situations like this one may be avoided in the future.”