March 4th, 2008

A Minnesota college has been fined for improperly working with and removing asbestos from multiple buildings in 2007. The school has been doing asbestos work for years without proper monitoring.

A Minnesota college was fined almost $25,000 after seven workplace violations were filed by the Occupational Safety and Health Division. The fines stemmed from work done to multiple buildings on campus, including dormitories, which were not correctly monitored or completed. The violations include allegations that air quality was not monitored, workers were not given protective gear while conducting the work and signs were not in place warning people of the danger of asbestos.

According to records, asbestos work has been done for a decade on the school with no proper monitoring or removal guidelines being followed. This presents a health concern for students and faculty, as well as the workers that handled the dangerous material. Improperly handling or removing asbestos, especially without protective gear, can lead to the material breaking into airborne particles and being inhaled. Inhaling asbestos fibers has been associated with a deadly form of lung cancer called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is particularly dangerous, since the diseases can take years to be diagnosed. OSHA is working with the school regarding the violations and future safety procedures.