In February 2025, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) fined U-Haul $231,000 for exposing workers to asbestos at a Spokane facility. The fine was issued because U-Haul failed to follow safety protocols when knowingly putting their employees at risk.
The issue began in 2019 when U-Haul bought a former K-Mart building and started renovating without testing for asbestos. The building, which is nearly 60 years old, had vinyl floor tiles containing asbestos. When the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA) investigated, it found asbestos in all 90,000 square feet of the floor tiles and adhesives. Despite warnings and fines from SRCAA, U-Haul continued unsafe practices.
Willfully unsafe practices on the job
When the facility opened in March of 2023, mechanics noticed that 7,400 square feet of tiles were still in place, but popping up due to the weight of vehicles and jack stands. Management told workers to throw away the tiles in regular trash even though the SRCAA warned them about the tiles. Unaware that the tiles contained asbestos, workers used putty knives, shovels and torches to remove 200-300 square feet of tiles without proper safety equipment or training. The work endangered the lives of workers by exposing them to the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Penalties and consequences
L&I’s investigation revealed 16 serious violations, some of which were willful. Willful violations mean the company should have known or knew the requirements but didn’t meet them. The $231,000 fine aims to hold U-Haul accountable and encourage safer workplace practices. This isn’t the first time U-Haul has faced such issues—they were previously fined in California for similar violations.
U-Haul did not appeal the citation and fine in Spokane. The money from the fine was placed in the workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund, which provides financial support to injured workers and families of those who have died on the job.
Considering the negligence and the seriousness of its consequences, U-Haul potentially faces legal action since its actions were intentional. The workers could seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to their asbestos exposure. Consulting with an experienced attorney specializing in asbestos litigation would be crucial for these workers to understand their legal options and pursue justice.