Washington Company Fined $231,000 for Asbestos Violations

February 19, 2025 | JacobiJournal.com — Asbestos Violations: The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has levied a $231,000 fine against U-Haul of Spokane for exposing employees to hazardous asbestos during a building renovation. The company failed to conduct required asbestos testing before starting construction at a former K-Mart building, despite its 60-year-old structure, which raised an obvious risk of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

Discovery of Asbestos Contamination

Asbestos Violations: After the renovation had already begun, the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency conducted an inspection and found that approximately 90,000 square feet of vinyl floor tiles and adhesive contained asbestos fibers. While U-Haul initiated some remediation efforts, nearly 7,400 square feet of asbestos-laden materials remained when the company’s service center officially opened in March 2023.

Worker Safety Violations

Employees unknowingly handled asbestos without proper safety measures, putting them at significant risk of long-term respiratory illnesses, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. According to L&I’s findings:

Mechanics working on-site removed and discarded damaged tiles containing asbestos without using protective gear or undergoing mandatory asbestos safety training.
U-Haul did not properly inform employees about the presence of hazardous materials or implement correct handling procedures.
The company failed to follow Washington’s strict asbestos abatement laws, which require testing, containment, and professional remediation before renovation work begins.

As a result, L&I issued 16 serious violations, some classified as willful, meaning the company knowingly disregarded worker safety regulations.

Pattern of Negligence?

This case is not an isolated incident. A U-Haul franchise owner in California was cited for a similar asbestos-related violation in 2019, raising concerns about recurring safety failures within the company. Regulatory agencies may now increase scrutiny on U-Haul’s business practices, particularly regarding workplace safety and hazardous material compliance.

Potential Health & Legal Consequences

Asbestos exposure is a serious occupational hazard, with long-term health effects that may take decades to appear. Employees exposed to asbestos without proper precautions could face severe lung diseases, leading to potential lawsuits against the company. Given U-Haul’s previous violation history, this latest fine could open the door for further regulatory action or worker compensation claims.

What’s Next for U-Haul?

L&I has stated that strict enforcement measures are necessary to prevent future asbestos-related violations. U-Haul is expected to either appeal the fine or submit a corrective action plan outlining steps to improve safety protocols.

Read the full violation report here.

New Update: Washington Issues New Asbestos Penalties as U-Haul’s $231,000 Citation Remains Unappealed

Washington’s enforcement action against U-Haul of Spokane remains an important example of workplace asbestos violations, particularly because the company did not appeal the $231,000 penalty issued by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. In its February 13, 2025 announcement, L&I confirmed that U-Haul had failed to challenge the citation, which included 16 serious asbestos-related violations, some classified as willful.

The violations followed the renovation and subsequent operation of a former K-Mart building in Spokane, where approximately 90,000 square feet of vinyl flooring and adhesive were found to contain asbestos. Although some materials were removed by certified contractors and others were coated with epoxy, approximately 7,400 square feet of asbestos-containing flooring remained when the facility opened in March 2023. Mechanics later encountered damaged and dislodged tiles while servicing rental vehicles, and management allegedly instructed employees to dispose of the material in ordinary garbage containers.

Investigators determined that workers had handled asbestos-containing materials without appropriate respiratory protection, specialized training, or certification. The Department also confirmed that the penalty funds would support Washington’s workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund. As of October 2026, the official materials reviewed do not identify a separate new enforcement action against U-Haul arising from this same Spokane incident.

Washington regulators announced another significant asbestos enforcement case on February 17, 2026, demonstrating that workplace exposure risks remain an active priority. The Department of Labor & Industries reported that Seattle Environmental Services LLC, an asbestos removal contractor operating in the Puget Sound region, faced more than $200,000 in penalties after an investigation involving a residential demolition project in Bellevue. According to the agency, inspectors responded to the property in September 2025 and were initially told that the work involved ordinary demolition rather than asbestos abatement.

The company also represented that testing had found no asbestos and that respiratory protection was unnecessary. However, inspectors observed equipment and waste containers associated with asbestos removal and issued an immediate stop-work order after the contractor could not produce supporting testing records. Subsequent documentation confirmed that nearly 3,000 square feet of wall and ceiling materials contained asbestos.

By that time, three employees had reportedly removed the hazardous material without appropriate respirators or decontamination showers. L&I issued citations on January 26, 2026, involving 10 willful-serious violations, six serious violations, and four general violations. The company was given until February 20, 2026, to appeal. These findings concern a separate contractor and should not be interpreted as additional violations by U-Haul.

The Spokane and Bellevue investigations illustrate why asbestos compliance remains a critical responsibility for building owners, renovation contractors, and employers whose workers may disturb older construction materials. Washington requires a good-faith asbestos inspection before renovation, demolition, maintenance, or repair activities that could disturb potentially asbestos-containing materials, regardless of the building’s age.

The inspection must be performed by an appropriately certified inspector unless an applicable regulatory alternative is used, such as treating suspect materials as asbestos-containing and following the required protections. Building owners and contractors must also communicate the findings to affected workers and ensure that asbestos removal is performed by properly certified personnel when required.

These obligations are especially important in commercial renovations, where employees may encounter hazardous materials long after the initial construction work has ended. Asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to develop, making prevention, worker training, exposure controls, and accurate documentation essential. The continued enforcement activity in 2026 demonstrates that regulators are examining not only whether hazardous materials were identified before construction began, but also whether employers provided effective protections throughout demolition, renovation, and subsequent building operations.

For Washington businesses, the central lesson remains that asbestos safety requirements cannot be satisfied through paperwork alone; employers must ensure that actual workplace conditions and employee practices comply with the law.

For additional information, read the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries’ February 17, 2026 announcement concerning asbestos violations by Seattle Environmental Services LLC.

FAQs: Asbestos Violations

What asbestos violations led to U-Haul of Spokane’s fine?

The asbestos violations stemmed from U-Haul’s failure to test a 60-year-old building before renovations, exposing workers to asbestos in flooring and adhesives.

How did investigators discover the asbestos violations?

The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency inspection revealed asbestos in about 90,000 square feet of vinyl tiles and adhesives after renovations had already begun.

What risks do asbestos violations pose to workers?

Asbestos violations put employees at risk of serious long-term health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, due to fiber inhalation.

Can asbestos violations lead to further legal consequences?

Yes, asbestos violations can result in lawsuits, worker compensation claims, and increased regulatory scrutiny, especially for companies with prior safety violations.

How much compensation can you get for asbestos exposure?

Compensation for asbestos exposure varies widely depending on the severity of illness, medical costs, lost wages, and long-term impact. Some claims result in tens of thousands of dollars, while serious cases involving mesothelioma can reach into the millions through settlements or verdicts.

What is the average payout for asbestos claims?

Average payouts for asbestos claims generally range from $100,000 to over $1 million, depending on the disease, level of exposure, and the company’s history of safety violations. Claims tied to workplace negligence or willful violations often result in higher compensation.

Is asbestos testing required in Washington state?

Yes. Washington state requires asbestos testing before any renovation or demolition project, especially in older buildings. Testing must be completed by a certified professional, and work cannot begin until the materials are properly assessed for asbestos content.

Do you have to disclose asbestos when selling a house in Washington state?

Sellers in Washington must disclose known hazards, including asbestos, in property disclosure forms. If asbestos is suspected or confirmed, it must be reported to potential buyers to comply with state real-estate disclosure laws.

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