Kansas City’s Research Medical Center is an $84,000 fine for possibly exposing 85 workers to asbestos, a material that causes mesothelioma, lung cancer, and a number of respiratory problems.

Lengthy Investigation

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration released a report after a lengthy investigation into the matter, and the report described the violations as “willful” and “serious.”

OSHA inspectors found asbestos in the vinyl wall coverings in various place throughout the hospital, including in a boiler room where operating engineers worked, in hallways, and in a radiation control room.

Hospital Aware of Dangers

The report said that the hospital was aware of that some of the wall coverings contained asbestos as early as September 2006 but failed to warn employees.

According to a hospital official, the employees have been notified about their potential exposure. It has not been determined whether visitors to the hospital or patients were also potentially exposed.

The hospital has a limited amount of time to dispute OSHA’s findings, pay the penalty, or negotiate a lower fine.

(Source: The Kansas City Star)

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