STEVENS POINT ? A state agency says the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point had a handful of violations during a project to remove asbestos from a campus building.
UWSP did not properly notify employees working in the area that asbestos would be removed, and didn?t properly protect the employees during the work, according to a report from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. The university also did not provide a ?competent person? to protect employees.
The report gave the university until Sept. 13 to comply with corrective orders to each violation, but UWSP officials reject the charges and are appealing.
?We certainly believe the work was done properly,? said Jeff Karcher, UWSP?s head of Safety and Loss Control. ?Our position on the corrective orders is we believe, overall, they are inaccurate.?
The investigation came after a faculty member in the area filed a complaint about the removal of floor tiles containing asbestos on March 15, 2010, from Room 234 in the Communication Arts Building. The state?s report was sent to UWSP on July 13, 2011, and the university sent its appeal this week.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber commonly used in old construction materials. Exposure to it can increase a person?s risk of developing lung cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It must be removed from buildings by licensed contractors.
In addition to not knowing about the asbestos at the beginning of the project or telling employees, the Department of Commerce report claims the university didn?t provide alternative routes around the worksite for employees, a requirement to protect their health.
?This includes protection of employees who might have been required to walk by the area to reach their designated work area,? the report states.
The asbestos tile was discovered after carpet was removed, according to UWSP?s petition for hearing. The university contacted the contractor doing the work when it was discovered.
?No regulation requires the identification and specification of all unknown asbestos material before construction may begin,? UWSP?s petition states.
UWSP also claims it did notify employees near the work in the Communication Arts Building that the project might include asbestos removal, and that signs were posted during the work. The Department of Commerce report states employees in the area said signs weren?t posted until the work was finished.
Article source: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110814/WDH0101/108140364/UWSP-accused-asbestos-violations
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