Mesothelioma and Asbestos

A custodian at Lakeland High School complained after he says he was asked to remove destroyed floor tiles that turned out to contain asbestos.  Carmine Di Bernardo says that he asked his supervisor several times whether the work was authorized as well as was assured that it was. When the work was done, he complained to the New York State Labor Department, as well as he was transferred to another school following the complaint—and the resulting $2,500 fine. Di Bernardo thinks his transfer, which puts him further from his home, was retribution for the complaint. The school district says that Di Bernardo didn’t complain until he applied for as well as was turned down for hazard pay that he was not entitled to. School officials as well as say that the work was unauthorized, that Di Bernardo as well as another custodian asked a supervisor incase they could remove unconstrained floor tiles as well as were granted permission by a person who had no knowledge that the tiles contained asbestos.

A spokesperson for the state labor department says that exposure to deadly asbestos fibers is unlikely because the tiles were not friable—easily crumbled—but that they can’t be sure because the removed tiles were discarded before examination. Summer school was in session during the tile removal.

For the filled story, go to The Journal News.