19th April 2016
Two Companies Fined After Disturbing Asbestos
Two companies have been fined after asbestos was disturbed during refurbishment work.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how two employees of 24-Hour Maintenance Services Limited disturbed asbestos insulating board (AIB) whilst they were doing refurbishment work at a former commercial premises undergoing conversion into flats, in Romford, London.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that no refurbishment and demolition survey was conducted to determine the presence of asbestos on the site, and the client had not passed on the details of the presence of asbestos to the contractor, despite prior knowledge.
The above failings meant that two workers stripped out the AIB without any effective precautions and therefore received significant exposure to asbestos fibres.
Firestone Estates Limited, of Tolpits Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 10(1)(b) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and were fined £10,000 and were ordered to pay £1020.64 in costs with a £1,000 victim surcharge.
24-Hour Maintenance Services Limited, of Linton Avenue, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and were fined £5,000 with £974.44 in costs and a victim surcharge of £500.
Asbestos can be found in any building built before the year 2000. A refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey is required where the premises, or part of it, need upgrading, refurbishment or demolition. For more information contact us on 0845 459 1724
