OSHA Fines Stamford for Police Station Asbestos

Federal health and safety officials have fined Stamford, Conn., about $2,700 for asbestos and water contamination at the city’s police headquarters.

The Advocate of Stamford reports that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined the city for failing to protect workers from asbestos or screen employees for exposure.

The federal order requires Stamford to clean up asbestos waste and debris exposed in the building by March 2015. City officials are trying to decide whether to build a new police headquarters or repair and upgrade the station.

Water at the 65-year-old headquarters is contaminated with lead and isn’t safe for drinking or showering. The ventilation system can’t be used because it would distribute asbestos particles and jail cells are not built to modern standards that include suicide-prevention measures.