The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) issued the citations in December after receiving a referral from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA stated the owner of NW Quality Flooring LLC falsified lab results in an attempt to dump asbestos-containing construction debris from a house he was renovating.

Asbestos is extremely harmful, and exposure can lead to diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Only a certified asbestos abatement contractor may remove and dispose of building materials containing asbestos.

Two house flippers not qualified for asbestos removal
Neither the owner of NW Quality Flooring nor his flipping partner, the owner of Russ Tile Work LLC, are certified asbestos abatement contractors. The two men performed all the remodeling work themselves on the 1977 home they co-own.

Before abatement work can begin, building materials such as drywall, ceiling texture, and flooring, must be tested for asbestos. The owner of NW Quality Flooring took a negative test result he had from a previous job, graphically altered it to make it appear as if it was from the current remodel, and provided it to the local waste disposal company. He falsified other documents as well and repeatedly lied to L&I inspectors.

Inspectors determined the owner of Russ Tile Work wasn’t aware of his partner’s actions.

"The owner of NW Quality Flooring mislead L&I, his customers—even his business partner, and he got caught,” said Cari Anderson, deputy assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

“He put anyone who walks into this house at risk, including other contractors and the next homeowner. We’re always going to take that very seriously,” said Anderson. L&I has referred the case to the state Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Division for potential criminal charges.

L&I cited and fined NW Quality Flooring $108,200 for four willful serious violations. The agency fined the company $4,800 in 2022 for asbestos-related violations.

L&I cited and fined Russ Tile Work $8,100.00 for four serious violations. This is the company’s first inspection by L&I. The owners of both companies are appealing. NW Quality Flooring ultimately hired a certified asbestos removal company to complete the cleanup properly.

Contractor safety records available online
Homeowners should never hire a contractor to remove asbestos before making sure they are certified to do this high-risk work.