Asbestos

Commercial flooring contractors may need to determine whether asbestos containing materials are present in the flooring materials they are contracted to replace. If a building or business owner contacts a flooring contractor for renovation work, it is necessary to determine whether asbestos containing materials are present in the current flooring materials before demolition or renovation activities begin. If asbestos is detected, efforts can be taken to help ensure the safety of the building’s current and future occupants and avoid any health dangers ... Read more

Officials contacted G2 Consultants when they needed to ensure elementary school students and a local community were not at risk for harmful exposure to asbestos. In December 2016, a fire destroyed Lookingglass Elementary School’s gymnasium. Crews were on site in early February to demolish the gym before they could begin completely clearing all debris from the site. First, however, an asbestos abatement process needed to be completed to remove any potential for the public or students to be exposed to asbestos. Officials knew asbestos ... Read more

On April 30, 2015 the Oregon Senate approved legislation requiring contractors to have asbestos surveys conducted prior to demolition work. While regulations are currently in place requiring asbestos testing prior to renovation, the bill specifically seeks to protect residential neighborhoods from potential asbestos exposure during demolition activities. With the growth of the housing market in Portland and beyond, the risk of asbestos exposure in neighborhoods due to demolition and reconstruction is a growing reality. You can view the actual bill here, or get ... Read more

During this week, we join others to raise awareness about the potentially fatal health effects of asbestos exposure. While many may consider it a problem of the past, exposure continues to be a reality, especially to those who perform maintenance, repair and demolition work. OSHA provides several helpful fact sheets and a thorough overview on workplace requirements and employee rights here. There is no room for companies or individuals to claim ignorance on this issue. While it may be tempting to cut corners when dealing with ... Read more

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an $8,400 penalty to Medford resident Thomas Ray Moroni for performing an asbestos abatement project on a house in Ashland without the required state license. In January 2010 Moroni, of 1457 Ramada Ave., Medford, removed about 2,000 square feet of cement asbestos board siding from an old house at 111 Nursery St. in Ashland. All persons conducting asbestos projects in Oregon must have a license certifying they are qualified to perform such projects and ... Read more

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $9,600 penalty to an Oregon business for allowing an unlicensed contractor to perform an asbestos removal project in one of its business campus buildings, in Corvallis last summer. The Oregon business allowed a flooring contractor to begin a carpet removal project in the commercial building in late July 2010. While removing the carpet, the flooring company’s employees disturbed about 456 square feet of underlying, asbestos-containing vinyl floor tile. The employees broke the tile ... Read more

Grants Pass Firms Penalized Total of $15,600 for Asbestos Violations on Building in Grants Pass The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has penalized two Grants Pass businesses a total of $15,600 for environmental violations stemming from an asbestos removal project at a commercial building in Grants Pass last fall. DEQ issued a $9,600 penalty to an Oregon maintenance business located in Grants Pass, for performing an asbestos project without a license. DEQ issued a $6,000 penalty to an Oregon building owner in Grants ... Read more