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Department of Ecology News Release - May 25, 2000
00-095
SPOKANE--A Clarkston metal fabricating shop has been fined $10,000 for not properly containing a large sandblasting operation to protect neighbors from the dust.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued the fine to Dutch Inc. (formerly known as Dutch's Welding) of Clarkston. Personnel from the state's Department of Labor & Industries informed Ecology that a subcontractor for Dutch Inc. was conducting silica sandblasting in an open area across the street from the welding shop.
State law requires that silica sandblasting must be conducted inside a booth or hangar designed to capture the grit or over-spray.
The former Dutch's Welding received a notice of correction from the Ecology Department in 1997 for a similar violation after a citizen complained that Dutch's was blasting metal bridge parts in the open area behind the welding shop.
Dutch Inc. may appeal this fine to the state's Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days or file an application for relief with Ecology within 15 days.
Contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Manager, 509-456-4464; pager, 509-622-1289
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
