Kansas Hospital Faces Fines for Exposing Workers to Asbestos
By Alison Gonzalez
Published on January 07, 2008
The Research Medical Center is facing $84,000 in federal fines after a December report by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uncovered the "serious" and "willful" asbestos violations.
According to the report, asbestos was found in vinyl wall coverings. The coverings, which can crumble easily, could have allowed asbestos fibers to become airborne, placing people at risk for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related conditions.
After the report surfaced, more than 80 hospital workers were notified of their potential exposure. None of the workers received medical examinations for asbestos exposure, according to hospital spokeswoman Linda Morris Shaffer.
According to OSHA, it is not yet known if any patients or visitors to the hospital were exposed to the asbestos, because the report only investigated exposure in employees.
Shaffer said the hospital has an asbestos abatement plan, and is working to determine what other measures need to be addressed.
Research Medical Center has 15 days to decide whether they will pay the fine, seek a lower penalty, or dispute OSHA's findings.
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