Two Workers Injured During Asbestos Abatement At Hotel

Two men were injured during an asbestos abatement procedure at a hotel in Clovis, New Mexico. The city’s Director of Building Safety, Pete Wilt and welding employee, John Smith, both fell more than 16 feet in an empty elevator shaft. The incident is described by police as a workplace accident. Wilt was taken to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo and Smith was treated at Plains Regional Medical Center.

When interviewed Wilt seemed to be in good sprits, “I just had a little accident,” he told reporters. His injuries are said to be no worse than a broken ankle. Wilt was working at the hotel to ensure gas lines were not active before the hotels asbestos-containing boilers were removed from the facility.

The Hotel Clovis, which has been closed since 1983, was undergoing asbestos abetment so it could be sold to a private developer. Asbestos can lead to a number of illnesses including asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma. During abatement procedures many strict regulations and protective equipment must be used to ensure no workers are exposed to airborne asbestos fibers.

Both men are expected to make a full recovery. The project was scheduled to be completed over the weekend however; the accident will most likely cause a delay.

Source: http://www.cnjonline.com/news/thomas-33874-clovis-removing.html