Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a citation to a postal facility located in Indianapolis for four repeated violations of safety concerns.

After receiving a complaint of potential safety concerns, OSHA began investigating the postal facility at West Baden Springs in Indianapolis on June 3, 2016.

The results of the investigation found that the facility did not take proper measures to safeguard employees from asbestos exposure.

OSHA Hands Down Asbestos Exposure Fine

As a result, OSHA issued an asbestos exposure fine in the amount of $49,720 as a penalty for this violation.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral and known carcinogen, is a very commonly used building material, especially in old buildings. In the 1980s, OSHA became aware of the cancer-causing properties of the material.

As part of OSHA regulations, employers in workplaces that are likely to contain asbestos are required to conduct training for employees informing them how to best protect themselves against asbestos exposure.

They are taught protective measures in case asbestos fibers become airborne due to the scratching of asbestos tiles, spills or anything else that may cause asbestos exposure.

According to the investigation, the USPS postal facility neglected to take these appropriate precautions at their facility in Indianapolis.

Specifically, the facility was found to have neglected to promptly address spills of asbestos-containing materials and neglected to label areas where asbestos exposure was likely.

The employees were also not trained in the proper safety protocols surrounding asbestos exposure, and subsequently, the facility was cited for four repeated violations, culminating in the asbestos exposure fine.

Asbestos is a material that has been used in buildings because of its insulation properties as well as its fire retardant properties. It was used extensively in building industries automotive industries and saw a lot of use in military applications as well.

Asbestos is often found in buildings built prior to 1981. Floor tiles, insulation, roofing, ceiling tiles, industrial pipes, spray on coatings and cement commonly contained asbestos. In automobiles, brake linings and clutch pads were commonly made with asbestos.

Left alone, asbestos is typically an inert material. When asbestos is disturbed, such as in building renovations, the fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled.

When the fibers are inhaled, serious medical issues such as cancer can occur. However, it may take decades for any asbestos-related symptoms to appear.

OSHA has put into place procedural safeguards to shield employees and workers from asbestos exposure by placing the responsibility onto the employer.

Employers may not expose employees to more than the maximum acceptable amount of asbestos, must label where asbestos is likely and monitor such areas, must reduce asbestos exposure and must train employees about safety precautions related to asbestos.

Even though it was known since the 1930s that asbestos exposure was linked to mesothelioma, cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen, it wasn’t until four decades later that any government legislation addressed the use of the material.

In the 1970s, the use of asbestos was limited, though it has not been completely banned.