Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Vietnam: Hoa Binh People's Committee and Slovakia-based BGT Slovensko Group have signed a memorandum of understanding on investment into Lac Thinh Industrial Zone with a total capital of US$548m. The Slovakian company pledged to carry out five projects in the Hoa Binh Industrial Park including the construction of an insulation materials plant.

US: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had imposed a penalty of US$1.2m on Cicero-based AMD Industries, because it failed to protect its workers effectively from loose asbestos fibres during a 2010 abatement process.

The Assistant Secretary of Labour for Occupational Safety and Health Dr David Michaels notified that the asbestos exposure to humans can be deadly and blamed AMD for negligence. The company was aware of its lethal effects but had failed to offer the most basic safety precautions. Further, he accused the company of not providing efficient respirators or even any warnings to the workers about the health disorders that could be encountered. The material removed at the site was particularly hazardous because the material removed was up to 50% asbestos.