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Inspectors made multiple unannounced visits to the 275 Chestnut Street job site last year and observed Karma Environmental Services workers commit multiple violations, MassDEP said in a news release.
Those violations included
- Applying water in amounts, which caused run-off and leakage outdoors and indoors
- Breeches in the outermost boundary of the work area
- Failure of the HEPA system to maintain -0.02 column inches of water pressure differential within the work area
- Failure to keep asbestos-containing waste material adequately wet during abatement.
MassDEP agreed to suspend $21,000 in fines if Karma pays $22,500 of the assessed penalties, officials said.
“This penalty could have been avoided entirely if Karma had followed industry-standard work practices and MassDEP guidance on the removal of asbestos,” said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. “Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and following the required work practices is imperative to protect workers, tenants, and the public. As this settlement demonstrates, failure to follow the asbestos regulations will result in significant penalties, as well as escalated cleanup, decontamination, and monitoring costs.”
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