Mississippi Clean-Up Causing Asbestos Hazards

June 1 , 2006 - Workers involved in the continuing clean-up of the Mississippi Coast following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are concerned that asbestos is being handling improperly during demolition of buildings that have been destroyed by the winds and floods.

Employees recently spoke anonymously to reporters at the Mississippi Sun Herald, notes a recent article in this Southern Mississippi newspaper, voicing their concerns about poor working conditions and contractors’ disregard for the safety of their workers and the community-at-large. 

According to the paper, all those who spoke to reporters had been trained and certified in proper asbestos-abatement techniques with a combined total of more than 15 years in the business.  All worked for different companies operating at different points of structural inspection, demolition and debris removal.

Cleaning and hauling debris from the areas affected by the hurricanes often involves the use of large equipment like backhoes.  In many instances, buildings have been torn apart with little regard to what’s inside, sending clouds of asbestos dust circulating through the air.  Furthermore, notes the paper, open air trucks then hauled this debris through the streets of town and beyond, scattering this same dust everywhere they went.

Most workers and citizens of the area are unaware of the danger and, therefore, have taken no precautions to protect themselves.  Those who’ve been issued standard disposable face masks say that’s not enough.  They should be wearing full body suits and respirators, note the workers.

The employees that spoke to the Sun Herald are also alarmed by the refusal of government agencies to get involved.  According to spokesmen with both Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the paper reports, neither agency is sending enforcement officers to make sure that employers are complying with asbestos regulations.

“Specifically, in regards to asbestos, we do not have OSHA compliance officers south of I-10 with that as an assignment, no," said Jesse Baynes, OSHA assistant area director in Jackson.  "We are not in an enforcement mode south of I-10 unless there is an investigation of a fatality or a complaint. It is still an area under a federally declared disaster."