Recent reports claim a warehouse owner is going to be slapped with several penalties after he allowed asbestos to be illegally removed from his business. The owner is reportedly in violation of New York state regulations.
The owner of Fort Knox Self Storage, located in Middletown, New York, West Solloway, claims he found material containing asbestos in the building in June. It was the property owner’s responsibility to have the asbestos properly removed. Solloway says he filed several complaints about the asbestos discovery to the city and state. He also says he informed the city and state about the improper asbestos removal, noticing workers were not were not wearing protection, which is the legal way to remove the toxic substance, while they were working on the building.
The warehouse is also used to house a program run by the Family Empowerment Council. The organization reportedly provides services to those who are living with disabilities and their families.
Ilegal Asbestos Removal Revealed
Earlier this month a city building inspector supposedly saw workers about to leave the warehouse in a van containing bags of asbestos-containing materials. The inspector immediately shut down the project and sealed off the entire area.
Under New York state law, asbestos removal is only to be done by state-certified contractors. They are to use certified workers, proper procedures and proper safety equipment. Contractors are also obligated to give the state at least 10 days notice of any work being done involving asbestos, and must have a valid permit to work with and handle the substance.
The property owner is going to be cited for failing to use a certified contractor for the removal of the asbestos, for involving workers not qualified to work with and around asbestos, and for doing the entire job improperly and illegally.
