Three firms face OSHA asbestos fines
Gannaway Builders, AARLICE Skilled Labor and K&W Electric were cited for exposures at a demolition site.
By VANESSA DE LA TORRE
Published December 31, 2005
CLEARWATER - Three Clearwater contractors face $38,750 in federal fines for exposing workers to asbestos at an Indian Shores demolition site.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 15 serious citations to Gannaway Builders, a construction firm with previous safety violations, alleging that it failed to protect workers earlier this year as they demolished a 164-unit apartment complex that was being converted to condominiums.
When inspectors visited the site, now called Barefoot Beach Resort, they found that no competent person was on hand to control employee exposure to asbestos fibers in the ceilings, according to the OSHA report. OSHA also alleged that Gannaway employees did not have protective equipment and safety training, or a designated area for decontamination and changing work clothes.
The agency proposed $32,000 in penalties.
OSHA also issued nine serious citations to AARLICE Skilled Labor for health hazards at the same demolition site, with fines totaling $4,500. K&W Electric was issued three citations and a $2,250 penalty.
"These employers were aware of the health standards but failed to protect employees from airborne asbestos," said Les Grove, OSHA's Tampa-area director, in a statement.
John Weiss, owner of K&W Electric, disagreed with that assessment. "How can they penalize me for something I had no control over?" Weiss said. "There was no sign posted at the site regarding the asbestos in the buildings or any kind of hazardous material. You go in there to do an electrical job, and it's permitted, and all of sudden there's a complaint."
Weiss said one of his former employees called OSHA months ago to complain about asbestos in the air.
Both Weiss and Roger Edwards, vice president of Gannaway Builders, plan to contest the citations. Guy Gannaway, who founded Gannaway Builders and was listed in public records as president of AARLICE Skilled Labor, was out of town Friday and could not be reached.
Edwards said more than 100 Gannaway workers at the demolition site were told repeatedly not to touch the asbestos throughout the 10-month project. If that was unavoidable, employees were told to inform a field supervisor, who would contact an independent asbestos abatement contractor, said Edwards.
"They were allowed to be in the area, but not touch the popcorn ceiling," he said. "It's disheartening that some employee would still take it upon himself to disturb it."
Exposure to asbestos can cause scarring of the lungs, inflammation of the chest cavity and several forms of cancer. Edwards said he was unaware whether any workers became ill.
Times staff writer Robin Stein contributed to this report.