The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed a $2,000 penalty to MECHO Contracting Inc. of Methuen for violations of state asbestos regulations. The violations occurred during the removal of asbestos-containing pipe insulation from a residential property located on Charlton Street in Southbridge.

During an inspection of the property, MassDEP personnel found that the company failed to adequately seal the asbestos removal work area, and failed to carefully lower asbestos-containing material to the ground during removal. Upon discovery of the violations, the company was required to immediately seal the work area and implement revised work practices to ensure compliance with the regulations.

MassDEP regulations require asbestos-containing materials to be removed wet, and then carefully lowered to the ground. The regulations also mandate that the work area be sealed to prevent asbestos fiber migration, potential exposure to building occupants, and to preclude other parts of the building from becoming contaminated.

"Contractors must be fully aware of their responsibilities to thoroughly seal the asbestos removal work area and properly handle any asbestos-containing materials which they remove. Failure to follow these critical regulatory requirements is an extremely serious, and ultimately a costly oversight that potentially exposes workers, residents, and the general public to a known carcinogen," said Lee Dillard Adams, acting director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. "Noncompliance inevitably results in significant penalty exposure, as well as escalated cleanup, decontamination, disposal and monitoring costs."