Federal officials have proposed fining a contractor $57,000 for allegedly exposing employees to asbestos-related health problems at a Syracuse-area construction project.

Aapex Environmental Services Incorporated was cited for six alleged violations of occupational health standards at the former Agway building in DeWitt.

An inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Association found that required monitoring of employee exposure to asbestos was not conducted on several occasions, even though monitoring records indicated it had been done.

The inspection also found that Aapex failed to collect short-term air sampling and keep accurate exposure monitoring records. They also failed to notify employees of sampling results, train employees to properly establish an asbestos containment system, and prevent asbestos-contaminated water from leaking from an enclosed work area.