BOSTON – The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection announced last week that it has penalized Commonwealth Tank of Wakefield $10,887 for asbestos violations that occurred during a boiler-plant demolition project conducted by the company at 285 Old Westport Road at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

According to a news release, DEP conducted an unannounced inspection at this facility where Commonwealth Tank was demolishing an oil-tank piping tunnel in June 2010. DEP observed how broken sections of heavy concrete had fallen onto pipe insulation containing asbestos, and that workers had attempted to wet down the damaged area with a garden hose. Lab samples taken that day by DEP confirmed the presence of asbestos material in the broken insulation and caulking.

Following DEP’s inspection, the work was halted and Commonwealth Tank was required to retain the services of a licensed and certified asbestos contractor to submit for approval a plan to complete the work. On July 13, 2010, the cleanup was completed in compliance.

Property owners or contractors with questions about asbestos-containing materials, notification requirements, proper removal, handling, packaging, storage and disposal procedures, or the asbestos regulations are encouraged to contact the appropriate MassDEP regional office for assistance. •