NYC Mesothelioma Attorney Says OSHA Fines of Brooklyn Hospital Shine Light on Dangers of Workplace Asbestos Exposure
New York City mesothelioma lawyer Joseph W. Belluck, who is experienced in asbestos exposure issues, said he was disturbed to learn that a Brooklyn hospital has been cited for negligent failure to protect workers from exposure to the well-known carcinogen during demolition and renovation work. He added that OSHA fines against Interfaith Medical Center reflect the seriousness of neglecting workers’ welfare and well-known rules and regulations about asbestos in the workplace.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fines of up to $ 48,000 against Interfaith Medical Center of Brooklyn for 14 violations of workplace health and safety standards during work to remove asbestos at the facility.
Among other infractions, the hospital failed to train staff, warn contractors of the presence of asbestos, properly label asbestos-containing materials and dispose of asbestos properly, according to an OSHA news release, which detailed the citations and the proposed penalties against Interfaith Medical Center.
“The connection of asbestos and asbestos removal to cancer, and the safety measures required are longstanding and well known,” said Belluck of the New York City personal injury law firm, Belluck & Fox, LLP. “It’s shocking that Interfaith Medical Center would ignore them.”
Workplace asbestos exposure can result in asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
“It is particularly distressing to realize that workers at Interfaith possibly may have been exposed to asbestos for years as their employers ignored this potentially deadly risk,” Belluck said. “OSHA makes clear information available and will provide training about the hazards of asbestos exposure and the appropriate safety measures for dealing with it. There’s no excuse for any facility to simply disregard long-known hazards and long-defined rules and regulations.”
Belluck is a nationally recognized attorney whose practice focuses on asbestos-exposure/mesothelioma litigation, as well as consumer, environmental and product injury cases. Belluck has won several major cases involving injuries from asbestos.
“People who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and lung cancer should contact an attorney to help them protect their legal rights,” the New York lawyer said.
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