When my wife and I were in McMinnville, Oregon on a short vacation a week back, a great getaway place, I saw something interesting on the door at the train station. This train station was classic in appearance, an old fashioned train station. When I was admiring it, I saw something that I have never seen before, at least in Washington. On all the entry doors, there was a sticker warning that the building may contain asbestos I really think such a sticker is kind of strange. Now, maybe, the idea is to warn any workmen who do jobs there that they need to be careful with what they tear apart. On the other hand, it seems like the location of the sticker would, more than anything else, scare someone who knows zip about asbestos. I remember a similar situation 20 years ago when I owned a radio station. At that time the Feds decided that any transmitters that contained any transformers or capacitors that might contain PCB's had to be marked as such. Fact was, even the manufacturers had no clue which parts did and didn't and then there were that parts that had been replaced. An old transmitter has usually blown any number of capacitors and transformers. Anyway, all we could do was post a sign on it that was almost identical. I made mine from white poster board and worte it out with a black sharpie. It said: "Warning, some components in this transmitter might contain PCB's". That sign was still on the back panel of the unit the day I sold the radio station. The sign did not explain the problem with PCB's. nor tell you what to do with them should you find them. It was in the same league as the asbestos sticker in the window. It might be there, but what are you going to do about it? As long as asbestos is not friable, airborne, then it is not a risk. The biggest risk in this building is to any workers who might tear things apart. Needlessly scaring the people who walk through the door is probably not the intent of such a sign, but it might be the result. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
Steven, that would make me stop and think before I walked in the door. Interesting. I've never seen that before. Thanks for sharing.
Steven, that is very odd indeed. Perhaps because the city is worried about a law suit? However that seems to be a good way to attract one, LOL.
i have never seen a sign like that either. I was thinking the same things about being worried by a lawsuit.
Kind of a damned if you do damned if you don't kind of scenario. That is what happens when there are lawyers for both sides of a problem:)
Steve: I hope you enjoyed your time in McMinnville. I hear it is a charming place... although I never got to visit when I spent five weeks in Portland some time ago. As far as the sign... I am sure those who put up the sign were trying to protect you... "asbestos" they could. LOL.
By the way... what a great picture. That's a pretty cute little guy you got there. What's his name ? And... that's a pretty big hammer he's swinging.
I would agree Steve. This type of posting is probably not going to accomplish what was intended. Consumers using the station may be unduly alarmed because they don't know what that means and contractors will probably be informed before they even start any work.
Interesting sign and post there Steven. I wonder if they will be requiring this sign on all older properties that contain asbestos...
Helping you live your American dream...
Right you are. It would appear to be aimed at travelers.
Of course, where would they put such a warning for workmen???
Or, it could say "Attn: Contractors. . . .
They might as well post "Might contain ______________ "
Soetimes there is no reason in the regulation!
It is as clear as some mortgage disclosures I have read. Clear as mud, that is.
Liabiltiy worries, liability worries, liability worries.
Sometimes it's just too much!
Howdy there Steven
I have not ever seen one of those sticker on a door of a place. I have seen Asbestos stickers, on or near an item, that could have Asbestos to do with it.
I see a lot of old asbestos in siding, flooring, insulation - all the usual spots.
I usually end up explaining the problem and finish by telling my clients not to snort their siding - it's bad for them.