Back in late March 2009, we reported on the denial of an asbestosis claim of former National Air and Space Museum employee, Richard Pullman. After fighting the Smithsonian over an unsafe work environment due to improper management of asbestos, Pullman and the Smithsonian have reached a $233,000 agreement.
After Pullman’s claim was denied in March, the Smithsonian Secretary, G. Wayne Clough initiated a study into the asbestos situation at the Smithsonian. Although Pullman’s settlement is, “no admission of guilt,” Clough’s study did uncover a number of “oversights.” From The Washington Post:
The engineer’s report, which the Smithsonian gave to The Post, said that the institution failed to use the most reliable method of asbestos testing, which would “afford greater protection for employees, contractors, and the public.”
While the Smithsonian had conducted baseline studies to locate asbestos in facilities years ago, the institution had failed to reinspect buildings every three years, a commonly accepted “best management practice,” the report said.
The Smithsonian also failed to keep a complete record on asbestos-containing material. Workers often did not have adequate information on the location of asbestos or how to work around it, according to the report.
In addition to the settlement money, Mr. Pullman will also have 65 percent of his medical insurance paid by the Smithsonian, and all of his medical treatments related to his asbestosis will be covered by the Museum. The sanctions filed by the Museum against Mr. Pullman when he came forward alleging safety violations concerning asbestos will also be deleted from his records, and neither of the two parties may disparage each other.
Again, from The Washington Post:
Marshall said his client was pleased with the settlement. “Mr. Pullman feels that he has done his part in the fight for a safer workplace and for the right of workers to advocate the same without fear of retaliation,” Marshall said.
Read the full article, “Smithsonian settles asbestos lawsuit“, from The Washington Post.
Watch it on Asbestos News Minute.
