Osha Asbestos
my work knowingly had me rip out a floor with asbestos, what can I do?
I work in Utah for a company that does a lot of demolition inside of houses. Utah state laws say that before you start any demolition of dry wall or floorings that you need to do an asbestos test. The test was done and they found that the floor contained asbestos but my boss still had us rip it out. I’m going to file a complaint with osha but is there anything else I can do?
Gather as much evidence as you can and retain it, this will include the data rec’d by testing lab, witnesses and statements and also a personal log, which should include who instructed you to do what/when and locations. You could also see a Dr. and discuss your possible exposure, the PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) is very low and really depends on type and size and length of exposure. This will trigger an exposure record on your medical file, you will then be placed under medical surveillance, test every year or three years…
The biggest factor is if the ACM (Asbestos Containing Material) was ‘friable’ or broken and released into the air, if it was solid pieces of flooring, and the ACM was contained it might not be an issue.
Utah administers a state run plan, which has to be at least as stringent as federal OSHA, so your complaint should go through them. The contact number is below, when discussing with UOSH, you should disclose how you feel this is an imminent danger situation. And you should also now if you make a complaint in good faith, you have protection under the whistle-blower laws or 11-C? of the OSH act.
Utah OSHA
160 East 300 South, 3rd Floor
P O Box 146650
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6650
Telephone: (801)530-6901
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