4 Firms Charged With Asbestos Safety Violations

McDonald’s Corp. is among four firms charged Wednesday with misdemeanor asbestos safety violations for razing two buildings in the Atwater district to make way for a fast-food restaurant.

The criminal complaint alleges 35 violations of South Coast Air Quality Management District regulations and five violations of the state Hazardous Waste Control act stemming from the demolition of adjacent two-story structures.

On a tip, an AQMD inspector found eight workers, none of whom had been trained in asbestos handling, tearing down the buildings without any protective gear, Deputy City Atty. Vincent Sato said. In addition, no steps had been taken to keep asbestos fibers out of the air, the prosecutor said. Also named as defendants were William L. Olson Inc. of Northridge, the general contractor on the project; Glendale-based Viking Equipment and two of its executives; and Insultec and two of its executives.