MARCH 28, 2015
VASSAR, MICHIGAN
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(MiOSHA) has recently amended its decision regarding citations issued to Vassar
Public Schools for alleged violations of asbestos regulations.
On Feb. 17, MiOSHA issued eight citations to Vassar Public
Schools for improper removal of floor tiles in the high school’s media center.
On Feb. 27, the district filed a petition for modification or dismissal of the
citations.
According to Vassar Superintendent Thomas Palmer, the
district’s employee who removed the tiling was asbestos certified, however it
was found that he did not have the proper level of certification.
The asbestos remained contained in the compacted tiling
during the removal process and was never airborne in the environment, Palmer
added.
“Had MiOSHA found that the asbestos was airborne in our
environment they would have immediately closed the building,” Palmer said.
Although students did assist in the moving of books and
furniture during the media center renovation, they were not involved in the
removal of the carpeting, High School Principal Jason Kiss explained.
MiOSHA’s original fine to the district amounted to $12,000,
but after grouping several of the violations and vacating another, the penalty
was reduced to $1,800.
http://www.tuscolatoday.com