Link to original WordPerfect Document here


STATE OF INDIANA    )        BEFORE THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT
                )    SS:    OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
COUNTY OF MARION    )

COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT    )
OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT,    )
                            )
        Complainant,                )
                            )
            v.                )    CAUSE NO. A-3930(b)
                            )
ENVIRONMENTAL                    )
ASSURANCE CO., INC.                )
                            )
        Respondent.                )

AGREED ORDER

    The Complainant and the Respondent desire to settle and compromise this action without hearing or adjudication of any issue of fact or law, and consent to the entry of the following Findings of Fact and Order.

I. FINDINGS OF FACT

    1.    Complainant is the Commissioner (hereinafter referred to as "Complainant") of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, a department of the State of Indiana created by IC 13-13-1-1.

    2.    Respondent is Environmental Assurance Co., Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Respondent"), an Indiana licensed asbestos abatement contractor located at 2701 Fortune Circle E. Dr., Suite H in Indianapolis, Indiana.

    3.    The Indiana Department of Environmental Management ("IDEM") has jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter of this action.

    4.    Pursuant to IC 13-30-3-3, IDEM issued a Notice of Violation via Certified Mail to:

            Jeff A. Hart
            Registered Agent for:
            Environmental Assurance Co., Inc.
            2701 Fortune Circle E. Dr.
            Suite H
            Indianapolis, IN 46241

    5.    Respondent implemented an asbestos removal project at the Indiana Department of Corrections, Chicago and Hitchcock Avenues in Michigan City, Indiana on or about February 17, 1997, to which the requirements of 326 IAC 14-10 applied, pursuant to 326 IAC 14-10-1(c).

    6.    Rule 326 IAC 14-10-4(9) requires that upon completion of stripping and removal operations for demolition and renovation projects, the owner or operator shall collect visible contamination of asbestos by employing one (1) or both of the following cleaning procedures:
        (A) Vacuum all surfaces in the work area using a vacuum equipped with HEPA filter and remove all standing water.
        (B) Wet wipe or wet mop all surfaces in the work area and remove all standing water.

    7.    On February 17, 1997, a representative of the Office of Air Management, IDEM conducted an inspection of the asbestos abatement project implemented by representatives of Environmental Assurance Co., Inc. at the Indiana Department of Corrections-Michigan City. The inspector noted Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM) on the floor of the laundry room beneath pipe that had previously been abated, a violation of Rule 326 IAC 14-10-4(9).

          Rule 326 IAC 14-10-4(10) requires that upon completion of the cleanup requirements identified in subdivision (9), an Indiana accredited supervisor, prior to the removal of the warning signs or other demarcation of the work area, shall perform a final visual inspection of the work area for visible suspect RACM debris. If visible suspect RACM debris is discovered, then the requirements of subdivision (9) shall be repeated until all visible suspect RACM debris has been removed. Upon completion of the above, the accredited supervisor shall certify in writing that the final visual inspection was completed and the work area is free of all visible suspect asbestos debris. This certification shall also include the date of the final visual inspection, the location of the asbestos removal project, and the accredited supervisor's signature. The certification shall be retained by the

contractor for a period of at least three (3) years from the date of the final visual inspection and must be made available upon request from IDEM. A copy of the certification shall also be sent to the building owner.

          During the February 17, 1997 inspection, the inspector determined that the Indiana Accredited Asbestos Supervisor for the abatement project failed to conduct a thorough inspection, a violation of Rule 326 IAC 14-10-4(10).
        
    10.    The project supervisor for the asbestos removal project involved in the violations is Bruce Miller, Indiana accreditation number 191806055.

    11.    In recognition of the settlement reached, Respondent waives any right to administrative and judicial review of this Agreed Order.

    12.    Pursuant to IC 13-30-3-3, entry into the terms of this Agreed Order does not constitute an admission of any violation contained herein.

II. ORDER

    1.    This Agreed Order shall be effective ("Effective Date") when it is approved by the Complainant or his delegate, and has been received by the Respondent. This Agreed Order shall have no force or effect until the Effective Date.

    2.    All submittals required by this Agreed Order, unless notified otherwise in writing, shall be sent to:

        Craig Henry, Enforcement Case Manager
        Office of Enforcement
        Indiana Department of Environmental Management
        100 N. Senate Avenue
        P. O. Box 6015
        Indianapolis, IN 46206-6015

    3.    Respondent is assessed a civil penalty of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The Respondent shall pay the civil penalty in twelve (12) consecutive monthly installments. The Respondent shall make eleven (11) installments of four hundred dollars ($400.00) each and a final installment of six hundred dollars ($600.00).

    4.    Civil penalties are payable by check to the Asbestos Trust Fund. Checks shall include the Cause Number of this action and shall be mailed to:

            Cashier
            IDEM
            100 N. Senate Avenue
            P. O. Box 7060
            Indianapolis, IN 46207-7060

    5.    In the event that the first installment of the civil penalty required by paragraph 3 is not paid within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreed Order or any subsequent a payment is not paid in thirty (30) day intervals, the Respondent shall pay interest on the unpaid balance at the rate established by IC 24-4.6-1-101. The interest shall continue to accrue until the civil penalty is paid in full.

    6.    This Agreed Order shall apply to and be binding upon the Respondent, its officers, directors, principals, agents, successors, subsidiaries, and assigns. The Respondent's signatories to this Agreed Order certify that they are fully authorized to execute this document and legally bind the parties they represent. No change in ownership, corporate, or partnership status of the Respondent shall in any way alter its status or responsibilities under this Agreed Order.

    7.    In the event that any terms of the Agreed Order are found to be invalid, the remaining terms shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreed Order did not contain the invalid terms.

    8.    The Respondent shall provide a copy of this Agreed Order, if in force, to any subsequent owners or successors before ownership rights are transferred. Respondent shall ensure that all contractors, firms and other persons performing work under this Agreed Order comply with the terms of this Agreed Order.

    9.    This Agreed Order shall remain in effect until the Respondent has complied with all terms and conditions of the Agreed Order.


TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATION:        RESPONDENT:
Department of Environmental Management        Environmental Assurance Co., Inc.

By:     _________________________        By: _________________________
    David P. McIver
    Air Section Chief            
    Office of Enforcement            Printed: ______________________

                            Title: ________________________

Date: ________________________            Date: ________________________

COUNSEL FOR COMPLAINANT:            COUNSEL FOR RESPONDENT:
Department of Environmental Management

By: _________________________            By: ________________________
Office of Legal Counsel                
Department of Environmental Management

Date: _______________________            Date: ______________________

APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT THIS _____ DAY OF ____________________, 199___.

                            For the Commissioner:

                            Signed August 20, 1998
                            David J. Hensel
                            Director
                            Office of Enforcement

Converted by Andrew Scriven