The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) penalized North Reading-based Columbia Construction Co. and Woburn-based USA Demolition Inc. $32,100 each after finding asbestos violations at a work site in Beverly.

Violations included the improper removal of 3,000 square feet of asbestos-containing floor tile at 32 Tozer Road.

On Aug. 5, 2011, MassDEP inspected the property, where Columbia had been hired as a general contractor to conduct renovation work and USA Demolition as a sub-contractor to perform demolition work. Neither company properly notified MassDEP of the demolition work or asbestos abatement work as required, according to the MassDEP. In addition, the companies allegedly engaged in the improper removal, collection, and disposal into a rolloff dumpster at the site of the asbestos-containing floor tile. The work was allegedly done without any controls to prevent the release of the loose, dry, friable, asbestos material into the air.

"When asbestos is removed improperly, it creates emissions that are known to be a health hazard to those who breathe that material into their lungs," Eric Worrall, director of MassDEP’s Northeast regional office in Wilmington, said in a statement. "The lack of notification, the lack of controls and the careless disposal of this material are all violations and caused an unacceptable public health risk to workers and anyone else in the immediate area."

After MassDEP ordered the companies to stop work on the project, Columbia and USA Demolition hired a licensed asbestos contractor to prepare a plan to remediate the site in compliance with all asbestos removal and disposal regulations.  

Columbia will pay $9,700 of its penalty and MassDEP has agreed to suspend the remaining $22,400 provided there no additional violations over the next year. USA Demolition will pay $8,700 of its penalty and MassDEP has agreed to suspend the remaining $23,400 provided there are no additional violations over the next year.