UMass Memorial Realty to pay asbestos penalty

The company that manages property for UMass Memorial Medical Center has agreed to pay a portion of a $45,413 penalty for alleged asbestos removal violations, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection announced Friday.

The property at 26 Queen St., owned by the medical center, currently houses a 24-bed psychiatric treatment and recovery center.

The alleged violations date to 2013, when MassDEP inspectors observed that asbestos-containing floor tiles had been improperly removed from the cafeteria at the former Worcester City Hospital at 26 Queen St., according to a MassDEP release. Following this observation, UMass Memorial Realty was required to have a licensed asbestos contractor clean up and decontaminate the cafeteria.

“Property owners must identify asbestos-containing materials so they can be properly removed and handled in accordance with the regulations. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and following required work practices is imperative to protect workers, as well as the general public,” MaryJude Pigsley, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester, said in the release. “Failure to do so will result in penalties, as well as escalated cleanup, decontamination and monitoring costs.”

A wet removal and storage process of asbestos is required by MassDEP, along with proper ventilation during the removal process. Property owners with questions about the asbestos cleaning process can contact the MassDEP.

UMass Memorial Realty must pay $15,000 of the penalty, with the remainder suspended for a year as long as they remain in compliance with the regulations.