Oregon Agency Fines Two Parties over Asbestos Removal Project

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued penalties to two companies involved in an asbestos removal project in Jefferson, Ore.

DEQ issued an $1,800 penalty to Delta Management Co. LLC, Vancouver, Wash., for allowing someone other than a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to perform an asbestos abatement project on the property. DEQ also issued a $2,000 penalty to Robert Floyd Davis for performing an asbestos abatement project without first obtaining the required license from DEQ.

The penalties stem from the September 2009 demolition of a single-wide mobile home. Delta Management Co. controls the property and is responsible for ensuring that asbestos on the property is properly managed.

Delta Management Co. hired Davis for the demolition work. Davis and his associates demolished the mobile home under Delta Management’s supervision, removing about 20 square feet of roofing material coated with asbestos-containing silver paint. Neither Davis nor his associates were licensed by DEQ to perform asbestos abatement projects.

Because the asbestos waste was improperly handled and because the project did not comply with asbestos regulations, asbestos fibers were likely released into the atmosphere.

Delta Management Inc. paid the penalty on Feb. 10. Davis did not appeal the penalty by the deadline, and the full penalty amount is now due.