FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 28, 2014) – The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection’s Division for Air Quality (DAQ) and Kentucky Labor Cabinet’s Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Program are investigating a Madisonville salvage operation that involved improper demolition and handling of asbestos-containing material. On Feb. 19, 2014, DAQ inspectors were dispatched to the Period, Inc. property in Madisonville after receiving complaints of an unauthorized salvage operation. Upon preliminary investigation, inspectors requested a thorough survey for possible asbestos-containing material of the salvage operations at the site. The division cited the building’s owner, S&S Salvage of Providence, Ky., for violations of state and federal asbestos regulations that dictate the proper handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos. No further activity is authorized at the salvage site until a thorough cleanup by a certified asbestos contractor has been completed. The Kentucky Labor Cabinet’s Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Program is also conducting an investigation into any possible violations of workplace safety and health standards in this case. Kentucky OSH’s involvement deals with the safety of workers and any possible workplace hazards that could result in citations and monetary penalties. The company has no prior safety or health violations with Kentucky OSH. Kentucky air quality regulations require businesses to submit prior written notification to DAQ for any demolition activities. The notification process may include a site visit by a DAQ inspector to determine whether asbestos-containing materials are present, and if so, how that material will be safely contained and disposed of during the demolition. S&S Salvage did not submit the required notification to the Division for Air Quality. Asbestos is a mineral fiber that is commonly used in the manufacture of heat resistant materials. When asbestos-containing materials crumble, they may release asbestos fibers into the air. Breathing these fibers may cause serious health problems.
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