Asbestos Vinyl Flooring Exposure - U-Haul Exposure Case

U-Haul Pays $231,000 for Asbestos Vinyl Flooring Violations in Spokane, WA

In a troubling case of workplace safety negligence, mechanics at the Spokane U-Haul facility were unknowingly exposed to asbestos when performing maintenance and renovations that disturbed old vinyl flooring.

The building, a former K-Mart, was purchased by U-Haul without conducting the asbestos survey required by Washington state law. Instead of testing the vinyl flooring coming up and its adhesive, which frequently contain insulators with asbestos, U-Haul allowed employees to handle the materials without protective gear, containment measures, or oversight by certified professionals. According to state regulations, any suspect materials in buildings constructed before 1990 must be tested before renovation or demolition. U-Haul failed to follow this basic safety step. After the exposure was discovered, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries launched an investigation. Inspectors cited U-Haul for failing to conduct an asbestos survey, failing to inform workers of asbestos risks, and failing to ensure that only trained professionals handled the material. The agency issued multiple violations and fined the company $231,000. 

The case highlights a serious disregard for worker safety and a failure to follow clear laws regarding the handling of insulators with asbestos, still commonly found in older commercial buildings. U-Haul missed multiple opportunities to responsibly manage this risk, putting workers directly in harm’s way. Want to know how this could happen and what it means for other workplaces? Keep reading to learn how oversight and regulatory violations continue to put employees at risk across the country. 

U-Haul’s History of Asbestos Violations

U-Haul’s failure to follow asbestos safety protocols in Spokane is not an isolated incident, but part of a troubling pattern of repeated violations that point to systemic negligence. In 2019, California’s Department of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) cited and fined U-Haul for similar unsafe practices involving asbestos exposure at one of its facilities. In that case, workers were also exposed to asbestos-containing materials without proper testing, notification, or protective measures in place—identical failures to those found in the Spokane incident.

These repeated violations across state lines demonstrate a consistent disregard for established safety regulations. Rather than addressing the root causes of its noncompliance, U-Haul has continued to put its employees at risk, increasing both the legal liability the company faces and the potential harm to workers who are unknowingly exposed to asbestos. This pattern not only undermines the credibility of U-Haul’s commitment to worker safety but also raises serious concerns about the company’s corporate oversight and its willingness to implement lasting corrective measures. 

How Asbestos in Vinyl Flooring Poses Serious Health Risks

Asbestos vinyl flooring becomes extremely dangerous when it is disturbed, as this can release microscopic airborne asbestos fibers that are easily inhaled, which are extremely hazardous air pollutants. Once inhaled, these fibers can become embedded in the lungs and other tissues, leading to severe and often fatal health conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and several forms of lung cancer. The risk is especially high when removing vinyl tile without proper precautions or when cutting, sanding, or disturbing materials that contain asbestos glue under vinyl flooring. Vinyl floor tiles with asbestos were widely used in commercial and residential construction in the 1980s and are still commonly found in older buildings. However, its presence is not always obvious, thus increasing the likelihood that untrained individuals may unknowingly expose themselves or others while working on toxic vinyl flooring. 

Improper handling of asbestos in vinyl flooring, such as skipping required testing, failing to seal off work areas, or neglecting to use protective gear, poses serious risks of fiber contamination throughout a facility. These unsafe practices not only endanger workers during removal but can also leave behind harmful residues that put future occupants at risk. That is why state and federal laws require strict asbestos abatement procedures to be carried out by licensed professionals. Certified asbestos abatement contractors follow a detailed process that involves identifying suspect materials, safely containing and removing them, utilizing specialized equipment to prevent airborne spread, and ensuring proper disposal. These standards exist to protect public health and must be followed whenever toxic vinyl flooring is present. When these safeguards are ignored, as in the U-Haul cases, the consequences can be both legally and medically devastating. 

Safe Practices and Handling Asbestos Vinyl Flooring

Identifying asbestos vinyl flooring can be challenging, as it often resembles non-hazardous materials and may not be clearly labeled. However, flooring installed in the 1990s or earlier, particularly tiles of asbestos and associated adhesives like asbestos glue on flooring, should always be treated as potentially hazardous until provided otherwise through laboratory testing. Warning signs include 9-inch by 9-inch vinyl tiles, older sheet flooring, discolored backing, and adhesives. Property owners, contractors, and maintenance staff should never attempt to remove vinyl tiles or disturb suspect flooring without first consulting a certified asbestos inspector to conduct a thorough material assessment.  

Once asbestos in vinyl flooring is confirmed, the safest and legally required approach is to hire licensed asbestos abatement professionals to manage the removal and disposal process. These specialists follow strict procedures to minimize airborne fiber release, including sealing off the work area, using HEPA air filters, and wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators, disposable coveralls, and disposable gloves. Materials like toxic vinyl flooring must be wet during removal to reduce dust, carefully packaged, labeled in leak-tight containers, and disposed of at approved hazardous waste facilities. Compliance with OSHA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and state-level regulations is critical, not only for legal reasons but to protect everyone involved. DIY removal is never safe or acceptable. Only certified professionals are trained and equipped to safely handle asbestos vinyl flooring, bringing up their expertise and knowledge of all health and safety standards. 

Occupations at Risk for Asbestos Vinyl Flooring Exposure

Certain occupations are routinely at risk of exposure to asbestos and related materials through their work. Auto mechanics may be exposed to asbestos not only in brake pads and clutches, but also in hazardous vinyl flooring over service bays, which can be disturbed during shop renovations or equipment installations. Protective equipment, like disposable mechanics’ gloves, is recommended for this industry. Construction workers frequently handle demolition and remodeling tasks where asbestos vinyl tiles and asbestos glue under vinyl flooring are present beneath carpets, tile overlays, or concrete leveling compounds. Flooring professionals face direct exposure risks while removing vinyl tile, cutting into old sheet flooring, or sanding adhesive residues, especially when buildings were built with 1970s vinyl sheet flooring. Even maintenance and custodial staff may be exposed when repairing subfloors, replacing damaged tiles, or working around deteriorating flooring in older structures.

Behind every violation and exposure is a person—a mechanic unknowingly grinding down vinyl floor tiles containing asbestos, a flooring contractor inhaling dust from asbestos glue under vinyl flooring, or a construction worker operating without proper protection. These workers deserve not only safe working conditions but also access to justice and medical support when companies fail them. For individuals who suspect they have been exposed to asbestos vinyl flooring or who have worked in environments where asbestos in vinyl flooring was handled improperly, it is important to seek medical evaluation and understand their legal rights. We can help connect affected individuals with experienced legal professionals and specialized healthcare providers to pursue compensation, treatment, and accountability. No one should bear the burden of corporate negligence alone, and support is available for those who need it. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.