Massachusetts contractor fined for asbestos violations at UMass Amherst

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has fined Warner Bros. for violations during asbestos abatement activities at UMass Amherst.

Warner Bros., an asbestos contractor from Sunderland, has been fined $29,776 after MassDEP discovered the violations during an inspection at the property located at the UMass Clark Hill Steam Project on Clark Hill Road in Amherst. Violations include failing to use the appropriate methods of containing and minimizing the release of asbestos, which led to the potential release of asbestos fibers into the environment.

“Compliance with MassDEP asbestos regulations is mandatory,” said Michael Gorski, Director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. “This penalty could have been avoided by diligent compliance with the requirements, which are designed to prevent the release of asbestos and protect the health and safety of the public and the asbestos workers.”

Warner Bros. will pay $21,000 in penalties and must comply with the terms of the consent order.

Property owners or contractors who have questions about the handling, removal, packaging, storing, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials can contact the MassDEP Regional office for assistance.

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