A Bellingham, Wash.-based property management company has been cited by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries for multiple serious safety and health violations, most of which involve improper handling of asbestos and lead.
As a result of the violations, Daylight Properties is facing fines totaling $185,600.
L&I has cited the company for 33 serious and six general violations. The highest single fine was $48,000 for failure to obtain a good faith inspection before beginning asbestos removal work. The amount was based on a $600 per day fine over an 80-day time period.
Other violations included not having asbestos removal certification, not having an asbestos “competent person” on site, workers not being certified for asbestos work, and not sufficiently wetting asbestos-containing materials during removal.
“Improper and unsafe lead and asbestos removal is a serious problem in Washington,” said Anne Soiza, L&I’s assistant director for the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. “This company renovates old buildings which often have asbestos and lead- containing materials. There are laws in place, and we expect them to be followed to prevent exposing workers, tenants and the general public to these hazardous materials.”
Asbestos is hazardous and believed to be a potential cause of fatal diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Lead exposures have been found to have serious and permanent health effects on children and adults. Only a certified contractor who follows the specific related safety and health rules is permitted remove and dispose of lead and asbestos-containing materials.
Daylight Properties has 15 business days to appeal the citations.
The company issued a statement saying it plans to do that:
“Daylight Properties is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees and tenants and the protection of our environment. We have a long history of preserving and restoring buildings by following relevant local, state and federal regulations. We will work with the agencies involved to assure the safety of our tenants and the community. On August 12, the Department of Labor & Industries issued a Citation and Notice of Assessment that inaccurately describes the working conditions at several properties located in Chehalis, Wash. No properties managed by Daylight Properties in Whatcom County were issued a Citation and Notice of Assessment. Daylight Properties is appealing the Citation and Notice of Assessment and, as a result, will have no further comment.”
Penalty money paid as a result of a citation is placed in the workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund, helping injured workers and families of those who have died on the job.
Topics Washington
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