Three commercial real estate renovators willfully expose workers to asbestos in San Antonio; fines total $112,000

Employers' names: FBZ Broadway LP, One Eighty Construction Inc. and Roscoe Properties Inc., all owned by Jason Berkowitz

Citations issued: Nov. 19, 2015

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited three Austin, Texas-based employers involved in commercial real estate renovation for exposing workers to asbestos at a residential apartment construction worksite in San Antonio. After a May 29 inspection, FBZ Broadway LP and Roscoe Properties Inc. were each cited for one willful violation for failing to determine the location and quantity of asbestos. FBZ Broadway was cited for the same violation on April 28. One Eighty Construction was cited for one willful violation for failing to ensure that workers followed asbestos removal practices.

Proposed Penalties: FBZ Broadway LP fined $14,000 One Eighty Construction Inc. fined $35,000 Roscoe Properties Inc. fined $63,000

Quote: "This commercial building renovator is responsible for protecting workers from asbestos hazards and failed to do so, despite previous citations for asbestos exposure. There is simply no excuse for continuing to expose workers to this danger," said Alejandro Porter, OSHA's area director in the San Antonio Office. "Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung disease and cancer years after initial exposure."

Links to the citations: FBZ Broadway LP, One Eighty Construction Inc. and Roscoe Properties Inc.

Information: FBZ Broadway LP, One Eighty Construction Inc. and Roscoe Properties Inc., which employ approximately 261 workers combined, have 15 business days from receipt of their citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's San Antonio Area Office at 210-472-5040. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.