Workers Exposed to Asbestos at Virginia Plant

At least 12 contract employees hired to repair the Surry nuclear power plant have been exposed to asbestos.

State Department of Labor and Industry reports obtained by the Daily Press found that flakes of the cancer-causing substance went airborne in April after contractors cut a pipe. The reports say that a dozen workers and three work trailers had asbestos on them, but it’s unclear how much because plant owner Dominion Power didn’t have air-sampling equipment on site.

State investigators found that six of the eight companies involved weren’t at fault. Hopewell-based Quality Specialties Inc. has been fined $4,900 for failing to properly label pipes. It is disputing the charge. An investigation of Dominion remains open.

Spokesman Richard Zuercher declined to comment on work plans or what workers were told.