MassDEP fines asphalt firm

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has fined T&K Asphalt Services Inc., headquartered in Whitman, Massachusetts, $2,910 for hazardous waste management violations at its Whitman facility.

MassDEP says that it inspected the facility on Jan. 31, 2014 and found the violations, which will be corrected under the official order, filed Oct. 16.

"Hazardous waste management is essential to ensuring public safety and facility owners need to ensure that compliance with the regulations is the first order of business all day, every day," says Phil Weinberg, director of MassDEP's Southeast Regional Office.

MassDEP found that the facility was acting out-of-status as it had registered as a very small quantity generator of hazardous waste and a small quantity generator of waste oil, but exceeded the allowable limits on hazardous waste stored on site. In addition, the containers of hazardous waste were not properly labeled. The facility also failed to keep records of what recyclable material they received or generated over the last calendar year, according to MassDEP.

In addition to paying the penalty within 30 days, T&K Asphalt, an asphalt and sealcoat maintenance company, has agreed to bring the facility into compliance within five days.