Company purchased a former K-Mart in 2019 and began renovations without getting the building tested for asbestos
Tumwater, Wash.—Technicians working on rental trucks at a Spokane U-Haul facility had no idea the building they were working in was tiled with potentially toxic vinyl flooring. As the tiles peeled and popped up in the course of their work, it exposed them to deadly asbestos.
Now, their employer must pay a $231,000 fine from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) for knowingly exposing the workers to asbestos. U-Haul of Spokane purchased a former K-Mart in 2019 and began renovations without getting the nearly 60 year old building tested for asbestos.
When it was tested, during an investigation by the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA), all of the nearly 90,000 square feet of vinyl floor tiles and glue contained asbestos. SRCAA cited and fined U-Haul then for the work they had already started, and advised the business how to safely proceed with the renovation.
Asbestos is extremely hazardous when disturbed and can cause fatal diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Only a certified abatement contractor that follows asbestos-related safety and health rules may remove and dispose of asbestos-containing building materials.
Problems quickly pop up
U-Haul coated some of the tiles with epoxy, and had others removed by a certified asbestos company. However, about 7,400 square feet of the tiles remained when the service center opened in March 2023.
Technicians told L&I inspectors the vinyl tiles started popping up almost immediately due to use of jack stands and the weight of the vehicles on the flooring. They were instructed by management to throw them away in the regular trash. Workers threw away 200-300 square feet of tiles, never realizing they were handling asbestos.
“Not only did U-Haul management know this dangerous practice was happening, they encouraged it,” said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. “And to make matters worse, this isn’t the first time they’ve had issues with handling this deadly material. We hope the fine moves U-Haul to create safer workplaces for its employees.”
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