CSI MIRA COSTA: CASE 01: ASBESTOS

Karli Wallace, Emilee Ray

Executive Theme Editor, Theme Editor

Mira Costa, along with the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, failed to follow the proper procedures for working on areas containing asbestos on Aug. 16 before and after sanding and removing the tile located in the library, according to a notice of violation issued by the SCAQMD.

Since then, the Environmental Network Corporation (ENCORP)  has conducted three investigations on Costa’s library, 900 student textbooks have been quarantined and SCAQMD, MBUSD, general contractor KYA Services, and sub contractor Progressive Surface Solutions have each isued 27 violations to Costa.  

“The violations stem from a complaint received by SCAQMD alleging that asbestos-containing floor material was being disturbed in a textbook storage room in the library,” SCAQMD  said in a press release. “According to the complaint, the work took place while some students, parents and staff were present for registration.”

According to a newsletter released by MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews on Sept. 11, the library will not be reopened until  SCAQMD determines that it is safe. They have yet to determine when that is.

“We have been hit by many different unanticipated maintenance and operations issues as we have opened the school year. Some of these have involved contractors, and some have involved our own staff,” Matthews said. “All of these issues, the library, the pool, and the mold in our classrooms, are unanticipated costs that will be a hit to our budget. “

In  addition, MBUSD  plans to remove 2- 35% Chrysotile asbestos from Fisher Gym   before its demolition on Dec. 4. The District passed Measure EE in 2016 in order to pass a bond  to reconstruct Costa’s 65 year old gym.

“We will notify SCAQMD regarding our abatement plans well in advance of any activity, inspectors will observe the abatement process and regulatory agencies, contractors, and licensed consultants will work together to ensure that the process is carried out safely and in compliance with all safety protocols and procedures,” Matthews said in an email.

THE VIOLATIONS

Mira Costa, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, KYA Services, and Progressive Surface Solutions failed to…

• Perform an asbestos survey 10 days prior to the sanding asbestos contained material floor tile
• Notify the AQMD ten days prior to renovations
• Use proper removal procedures
• Remove asbestos conatined material prior to renovations
• Collect and place all asbestos contained material in a leak tight container
• Handle asbestos contained material carefully
• Encapsulate asbestos contained material
• Provide proof of California Contractors State    License Board licensing or California Occupational Safety and Health Administration registration
• Dispose of ACM at a landfill
• Clean work area of a ACM
• Have onsite supervisor with training
• Place ACM in bags that are inaccessible to the public
• Label and mark ACM bags
• Prepare ACM shipment records
• Maintain recordsof ACM removal
• Hire a supervisor and workers with certified asbestos training

Timeline stuff (in proper chronolgy)

1. 05/07/14; The state of California’s Division of occupational safety and health sends a notification of penalty to environmental consultant Miller Environmental and to Mira Costa’s address concerning asbestos.
2. 08/16/17; ENCORP conducts a three-year asbestos hazard emergency response act re-inspection workup and reports that there is asbestos in many of costa’s facilities.
3. 06/25/18; In a limited assessment analysis, ENCORP reports that 2 square inches of tiles contain asbestos, and that the cabinets in the library contain high levels of lead that that exceed regulatory standard.
4. 07/02/18; ENCORP cleaars library and workroom for re-occupancy following abatement.
5. 08/16/18; Non-asbestos certified workers associated with progressive surface solutions used a power grinder to remove a wax seal on the asbestos infected tile. the grinding releasesd asbestos fibers while students, parents, and staff were present.
6. 08/21/18; SCQAMD cites 27 violations towards Mira Costa and MBUSD
7. 08/22/18; SCAQMD cites 27 violations toward kya services and progressive surface solutions.
8. 12/04/18; MBUSD plans to abate fisher gym of 2-35% chrysotile asbestos before its demolition.