McConnell Enterprises, Inc., an Essex-based demolition company, will pay up to $125,000 in civil penalties for the illegal handling of asbestos. According to the Attorney General, the payment amount breaks down to $82,500 in penalties to the commonwealth and an additional $42,500 in penalties if McConnell fails to conform to waste regulations over the next 18 months.
During a demolition project in 2011, workers for the company allegedly discovered piping wrapped with asbestos insulation. McConnell is a state-licensed asbestos removal contractor; however, rather than follow proper procedure, the company left the hazardous material in an area where it could potentially be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity.
As a state-licensed asbestos contractor, failing to follow the laws is especially inexcusable. “Licensed asbestos contractors are fully aware of the removal, handling, packaging and storage requirements that must be followed when dealing with asbestos-containing materials and of the requirement to provide notification to MassDEP in advance of this work,” said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell. By neglecting to follow proper notification procedure, McConnell was able to keep MassDEP from finding out about the company’s unlawful activities.
Although the laws regarding safe asbestos handling are particularly stringent, it’s important for them to be followed to help minimize the risk of inhaling harmful asbestos fibers, which can lead to a variety of respiratory problems, including mesothelioma and numerous other types of cancer. “Companies working with asbestos-containing materials must be held to the highest standards of care as ordered under our state air laws and regulations,” said State Attorney General Martha Coakley. “Our office takes the mishandling of asbestos very seriously because of the health effects.”