After receiving a notice of violation from the state Department of Labor for asbestos removal violations on Wednesday, Cayuga County officials are taking necessary steps to resolve the situation correctly, said Fred Westphal, county attorney.
Federal and state officials are in the process of conducting investigations into the potential improper handling of asbestos in the Board of Elections building and its vacant garage adjacent to Records Retention on Court Street.
“We met with employees (Wednesday) to inform them of the situation and where we are in the process for remediation,” Westphal said.
The notice of violation cites asbestos found in two buildings in three different locations, Westphal said.
Asbestos is found in old building materials, where it was used to resist heat and corrosion. Inhalation can cause serious damage to lungs and other organs and can lead to disability or death. Symptoms may not appear for years after exposure.
Dennis Sedor, Democratic Board of Elections Commissioner, said workers have blocked off a stairwell to the basement where a boiler was once located in the Board of Elections.
A vacant garage connecting both buildings as well as both its entrances are also blocked off, Sedor said.
“Nobody has given us indication that we will have to leave the building at any point,” Sedor said. “We have been told to stay out of the blocked off areas.”
It is likely that while removing an old boiler from the Board of Elections office in February, asbestos removal was not completed using proper precautions.
Westphal said county employees do not deal with asbestos removal.
By law, the county must use a certified asbestos removal company, Westphal said.
Westphal would not comment on why it took so long for employees of the building to be informed of the situation.
“We have not had any indication from the county about why we weren't informed earlier,” Sedor said.
Sedor mentioned some county workers knew about the asbestos in February.
The current investigation will disclose who knew, and why employees in the building were not informed, Sedor said.
“It's very concerning to us that we have been in that building for five months with free-floating asbestos in the air,” Sedor said. “I don't want anyone to overreact, but it's clear the county underreacted.”
The county is waiting for quotes from asbestos removal companies. The first quote the county received Thursday was incomplete, Westphal said. Westphal does not know how long it will take to find an asbestos removal company.
“Once we have a quote, remediation should only take a few days,” Westphal said.
Meanwhile, Sedor, also an attorney in Auburn, told employees in both buildings to fill out protective claims that could be used in possible lawsuits.
“Asbestos isn't something to fool around with. It can be a slow painful death. Hopefully none of us will be affected,” Sedor said.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
“We met with employees (Wednesday) to inform them of the situation and where we are in the process for remediation,” Westphal said.
The notice of violation cites asbestos found in two buildings in three different locations, Westphal said.
Asbestos is found in old building materials, where it was used to resist heat and corrosion. Inhalation can cause serious damage to lungs and other organs and can lead to disability or death. Symptoms may not appear for years after exposure.
Dennis Sedor, Democratic Board of Elections Commissioner, said workers have blocked off a stairwell to the basement where a boiler was once located in the Board of Elections.
A vacant garage connecting both buildings as well as both its entrances are also blocked off, Sedor said.
“Nobody has given us indication that we will have to leave the building at any point,” Sedor said. “We have been told to stay out of the blocked off areas.”
It is likely that while removing an old boiler from the Board of Elections office in February, asbestos removal was not completed using proper precautions.
Westphal said county employees do not deal with asbestos removal.
By law, the county must use a certified asbestos removal company, Westphal said.
Westphal would not comment on why it took so long for employees of the building to be informed of the situation.
“We have not had any indication from the county about why we weren't informed earlier,” Sedor said.
Sedor mentioned some county workers knew about the asbestos in February.
The current investigation will disclose who knew, and why employees in the building were not informed, Sedor said.
“It's very concerning to us that we have been in that building for five months with free-floating asbestos in the air,” Sedor said. “I don't want anyone to overreact, but it's clear the county underreacted.”
The county is waiting for quotes from asbestos removal companies. The first quote the county received Thursday was incomplete, Westphal said. Westphal does not know how long it will take to find an asbestos removal company.
“Once we have a quote, remediation should only take a few days,” Westphal said.
Meanwhile, Sedor, also an attorney in Auburn, told employees in both buildings to fill out protective claims that could be used in possible lawsuits.
“Asbestos isn't something to fool around with. It can be a slow painful death. Hopefully none of us will be affected,” Sedor said.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
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