National Asbestos Awareness Week April 1-7, 2017

S. RES. 98 Designating the first week of April 2017 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week”.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 27, 2017
03/29/2017 Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.  (All Actions)

Senator Jon Tester

Mr. Tester (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Daines, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Warren, Mr. Merkley, and Mr. Leahy) submitted the following resolution;

Asbestos Related Deaths in NJ Continue at Record Rates

Source: EWG Fund
asbestosnation.org/

Asbestos related disease, including mesothelioma, continues in New Jersey at epidemic proportions according to an article authored by Environmental Working Group that reviews data of the CDC-WONDER database.

Read more about "mesothelioma" and workers' compensation:

Workers' Compensation: New staging of mesothelioma tumors may ... Feb 9, 2016 ... A recent study indicates that a new physician staging processes by weight and volume of mesothelioma tumors may be helpful in predicting ... workers-compensation.blogspot.com

Workers' Compensation: Pleural mesothelioma reported in a school ... 6 days ago ... Fibro Clay, and its causal relationship to mesothelioma, has been ... Malignantmesothelioma cases among primary school teachers are usually ... workers-compensation.blogspot.com

Asbestos Cement Factories Pose High Risk Mesothelioma Jul 20, 2012 ... An increased risk of developing asbestos related disease, including mesothelioma, was identified in a recent study. Asbestos exposure has ... workers-compensation.blogspot.com

Workers' Compensation: Mesothelioma Rates Continue to be High Jun 29, 2012 ... Mesothelioma is a rare but highly fatal cancer of the thin membranes surrounding the chest cavity or abdominal cavity. The only ... workers-compensation.blogspot.com

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Senator Patrick Leahy Calls For Greater Transparency by Asbestos Companies

Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy Ranking Member, Judiciary Committee Hearing on “The Need for Transparency in the Asbestos Trusts”

Today the Judiciary Committee meets to discuss legislation that purports to promote more transparency in asbestos trusts.  Before we get into a detailed discussion about the merits of the proposed legislation, I want to make sure we all remember why we are here today.  For decades, millions of American workers were secretly poisoned.  Men and women who worked in our Nation’s factories, shipyards, mines and construction sites, and service members in the military, unknowingly inhaled air that was laced with asbestos—a substance so harmful that an individual can become critically ill simply by breathing.

OSHA Cites Employers for Exposing Workers to Asbestos - $148,000

The seal of the United States Department of Labor (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Proposed penalties total more than $148,000 for hazards at San Antonio work site

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited seven construction companies – three Miami-based contractors and four San Antonio-based subcontractors – with 45 serious and one other-than-serious violation for exposing workers to asbestos hazards at a San Antonio construction work site. Proposed penalties total $148,000.

"Asbestos is an extremely hazardous material that can potentially cause lifelong, irreversible health conditions," said John Hermanson, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "It is imperative that OSHA's safety and health standards be followed to avoid accidents, injuries and illnesses."

In response to a referral by the Texas Department of State Health Services, OSHA's San Antonio Area Office initiated a safety and health inspection in March at the Reserves at Pecan Valley apartment complex located on East Southcross Boulevard. Inspectors found that workers were remodeling apartments without the use of proper clothing and respiratory equipment that would protect them from exposure to asbestos.

Specifically, the violations include failing to abate asbestos hazards and ensure that employees work in regulated areas, perform air monitoring for asbestos exposure, use the required engineering controls to prevent exposure, require the use of proper respiratory and personal protective equipment, train workers on the hazards of working with asbestos and ensure that an asbestos assessment is performed by a qualified person. A serious violation occurs when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The Miami-based contractors have been cited for a total of 14 violations: Newport Property Ventures LLC has been issued citations carrying $36,100 in fines for eight serious and one other than serious violation; Newport Property Construction LLC has been fined $12,600 for two serious violations and Jamesboys Inc. has been issued citations carrying $18,900 in fines for three serious violations.

The San Antonio subcontractors have been cited for a total of 32 violations: Alex Vega doing business as Alco Painting & Remodeling has been issued citations carrying $28,200 in fines for 11 serious violations; Luis Lozada has been issued citations with $20,400 in fines for eight serious violations; Frank Gonzalez has been issued citations with $9,600 in fines for four serious violations; and Clemente Covarrubias, doing business as Knock It Out, has been issued citations with $22,200 in fines for nine serious violations.

Detailed information on asbestos hazards and safeguards is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/index.html andhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/construction.html.

The citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/alco-painting-283535-0906-12.pdf*
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/alco-painting-472878-0906-12.pdf*
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/clemente-covarrubias-447453-0906-12.pdf*
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/frank-gonzales-447317-0906-12.pdf*
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/james-boy-315630913-0906-12.pdf*
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/luis-lozada-447973-0906-12.pdf*
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/newport-prop-constr-283336-0906-12.pdf*
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/newport-prop-ventures-329062-0906-12.pdf*
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/newport-prop-ventures-448114-0906-12.pdf*.

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in San Antonio, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the San Antonio office at 210-472-5040.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

....
For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered work related accident and injuries.

More about "Asbestos"

Asbestos Ban In Canada Gets Boast - Parti Quebecois Wins Election!

Sep 04, 2012

The Canadian Journal of Medicine had also endorsed a ban on Canadian asbestos production. "Canada's government must put an end to this death-dealing charade. Canada must immediately drop its opposition to placing .

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Asbestos Cement Factories Pose High Risk Mesothelioma

Jul 20, 2012

An increased risk of developing asbestos related disease, including mesothelioma, was identified in a recent study. Asbestos exposure has caused an epidemic of claims for workers' compensation benefits in the United ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Unlawful Asbestos Removal Results in Criminal Charges

Jun 22, 2012

NJ Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced that two men and the demolition company they operated have been indicted by a state grand jury on charges that they unlawfully removed asbestos from the former Zurbrugg...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

This Is Just Plain Sick: US Consumption of Asbestos Increased 13 ...

Aug 06, 2012

The US Geological Survey has reported that US consumption of asbestos fiber increased 13% in 2011. Asbestos is a known carcinogen and the cause of mesothelioma, a rare and fatal cancer. The US has yet to ban asbestos ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

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The Toxic Legacy of Raybestos-Manhattan Continues

The epic toxic legacy of asbestos brake manufacturer, Raybestos-Manhattan Inc., a/k/a Manhattan Rubber and Raymark, continues as waste from its former plants plagues present communities. Raybestos had several production plants in the US including Connecticut, South Carolina and Passaic, New Jersey.

Asbestos, labeled the "miracle mineral," was a known carcinogen and linked to: asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare and fatal cancer. The company with knowledge of that information, as revealed in the famous "Sumner Simpson papers," ignored the available science and continued to manufacturer asbestos products including: bowling balls, radiator hoses and brake linings, as well as other products.

While the Raybestos is no longer producing asbestos products, the plants sites continue to be a problem to the communities as a toxic legacy continues.

Read the article Citizen group pushing for new way to detoxify Raymark wastemctpost.com

"STRATFORD -- A network of residents concerned about toxic waste in town is pushing the EPA to study and determine whether a relatively new technology that neutralizes asbestos can be used to detoxify dump sites in the city....." read more 

.......

For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman  1.973.696.7900  jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

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Largest Verdict in US Asbestos History $322 Million Awarded by a Jury

A Mississippi jury has awarded a worker injured by asbestos $322 Million last week. This is the largest single asbestos award in the history.

The worker filed claims against Chevron Phillips Chemical (CP Chem and Carbide Corporation. He was employed in the oil fields in 1979 (at age 16) and mid 1980's and exposed to asbestos fiber. The worker was diagnosed with asbestosis, a progressive lung disease, caused by the exposure to asbestos fiber. 

Asbestos, for decades, has been linked to asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma remains an incurable and fatal disease. Asbestos is one of the modern world’s most historic occupational medical disasters. Not only is it well documented, it continues not to be banned in the US.

For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman  1.973.696.7900  jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered asbestos related disease.

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Asbestos Contaminates 772 New York City Schools

The Board of Education of the City of New York has reported that asbestos wiring, a known carcinogen, is hampering the removal of PCB lights. The asbestos contaminating the schools is was discovered while the City was attempting to remove lighting at the school.

WNYC, Public Radio in NY reported that, Deputy Chancellor Kathleen Grimm told a City Council committee said, "Asbestos comes with its own special rules and containment procedures," She said it can only be removed on weekends and holidays, not evenings "because we have to actually contain the area, and make sure that we're removing it properly and disposing of it properly." It is anticipated that it will take 10 years to remove the asbestos from the schools.

Asbestos, for decades, has been linked to asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma remains an incurable and fatal disease. Asbestos is one of the modern world’s most historic occupational medical disasters. Not only is it well documented, it continues not to be banned in the US.

For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman  1.973.696.7900  jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered work related accidents and injuries.

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WR Grace Asbestos Bankruptcy Plan Receives Initial Approval

A Delaware Bankruptcy Judge has approved a reorganization plan  for the former asbestos manufacturer, WR Grace. The company sought bankruptcy protection in 2001 from asbestos liabilities. The reorganization plan provides for the payment of benefits to victims of asbestos related disease.The proposed plan now must be reviewed by a US District Court Judge for final approval.


Asbestos exposure results in progressive and latent diseases including: asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. There is no known cure for mesothelioma, a rare and fatal disease. The use of asbestos is not yet banned in the US.


WR Grace manufactured asbestos insulation, Zonolite, and other asbestos containing products . For many years it mined asbestos in Libby, Montana, and left  behind a legacy of disease to its former employees and residence of the mining community. Last year, the US Congress passed and the President signed, a national health care bill that provided medical coverage under Medicare for those who worked and/or resided in Libby, Montana.


Once the US District Court finalizes approval of the plan, the present and futures asbestos victims trusts will begin processing claims for payment.

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