Massachusetts Announced Settlement With Company for Mishandling Asbestos in a School

FEBRUARY 7, 2022

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced a settlement with a renovation company for failing to comply with safety requirements when removing ceiling tiles that contained asbestos in a classroom. As a result, the school, which was located in an environmental justice community, was required to shut down for the rest of the year. Under the settlement, the company had to pay civil penalties and mandate employee asbestos safety training. Additionally, the City of Fitchburg, which maintained the school and failed to hire a company that was certified to handle asbestos, was required to implement a comprehensive plan for asbestos management developed in collaboration with the AG’s office.