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Asbestos violations earn Richmond company WorkSafeBC penalty

The high-risk violations included failing to take the necessary precautions to protect workers
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A Richmond firm has been fined for high-risk violations involving asbestos.

A Richmond firm that recycles construction debris has been fined more than $14,000 by WorkSafeBC for “high risk violations” involving asbestos.

Fairway Recycle Group Inc. was fined $14,203.29 by WorkSafeBC for failing to take the necessary precautions to protect workers and other violations.

Drywall debris, which often contains asbestos (ACM), was found mixed into material piles, around bins, the gravel roadway and next to equipment, during a WorkSafeBC inspection at a Fairway worksite in Richmond.

A separate inspection found Fairway’s truck parked on a road with its trailer filled with loose drywall that was later confirmed to be ACM.

WorkSafeBC then issued a stop-work order.

“The firm failed to take the necessary precautions to protect workers before allowing work that disturbed ACMs,” according to WorkSafeBC.

“The firm also failed to ensure all asbestos waste was placed into properly labelled and sealed containers, and failed to prevent the spread of asbestos dust and debris to other work areas. Finally, the firm failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety.

“These were all high-risk violations.”

Fairway was fined by WorkSafeBC on Sept. 27.