OSHA Cites Companies Accused of Exposing Employees and Residents to Asbestos at a Care Facility

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced it had issued citations and proposed penalties for multiple companies following a federal workplace safety inspection. OSHA alleges that workers and residents at a nursing facility in Missouri were exposed to asbestos hazards during a flooring replacement project.

According to OSHA allegations, workers for the companies removed about 10,000 square feet of floor tiles containing asbestos, and none of the employers completed an asbestos assessment to determine its presence. The agency reports that the firms failed to test for asbestos, did not erect protective barriers to contain residue and failed to use respiratory and personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent exposure. Bulk samples of tile backing and mastic collected at three locations in the facility indicated that between 45% and 51% of the samples contained chrysotile asbestos.

“Asbestos exposure risks can be significant during remodeling and demolition projects due to the waste, dust, and debris associated with these types of activities,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Asbestos was used in the past in a number of floor tiles and mastics. It was also used in many other building products that can still be found in countless buildings. Regulations are in place to protect workers and the public from inhaling asbestos fibers that are known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. The fines that can be placed on companies that fail to follow these requirements can be significant.”

Identifying exposure risks due to the presence of asbestos, lead, PCBs, and many other hazardous materials are the industrial hygiene, material, and environmental testing experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL has a laboratory in Missouri and dozens more across the United States and Canada. They offer laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, and a wide range of PPE.

To learn more about EMSL’s laboratory testing services and products, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email  info@EMSL.com . For access to asbestos and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail