Michigan demolition firm and property owner fined for asbestos violations

A Michigan-based demolition company and a property owner agreed to pay fines to the state relating to improper containment of hazardous asbestos at a the demolition site of a blighted commercial building, a report by MLive.com says.

Demolition company Press’s LLC, Holton, agreed to pay $10,000 while property owner Kirksey Investment Corp., Muskegon, agreed to pay $3,000 in settlements to the state of Michigan for asbestos-related air quality violations during the demolition of the former Anaconda Wire and Cable building in Muskegon, the report says. 

When demolition began on the building, an inspection found hazardous asbestos may have been released into the air. According to the report, nine violations notices were sent Nov. 9, 2016 to Alan Jager, owner of Press’s, and Dennis Kirksey of Kirksey Investment Corp. after a Nov. 4 inspection by the air quality division of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

According to the report, violations include failure to remove asbestos materials prior to demolition, thoroughly inspect the site for asbestos, notify proper authorities of asbestos, wet the asbestos during and after demolition, contain it in a leak-tight container, having a contractor supervisor on-site during demolition and disposing of the hazardous materials as soon as possible.

The state’s DEQ and two companies negotiated separate consent orders, the report says. The state is accepting comments until April 10 for the Kirksey order and the agreement with Press’s is undergoing approval by the air quality division director.

According to the report, the Muskegon commission ordered the demolition of the Anaconda building in August 2016. Kirksey Investment signed an agreement with the city to have the structure removed by Dec. 15, 2016. The Anaconda Wire and Cable Co. was formed in 1919 to produce copper wire. The factory closed in 1981 and was heavily damaged by a fire in 1999.