7th February 2024
Contractor Is Sentenced For Illegal Removal Of Asbestos
What’s Happened?
A Hartlepool man has recently been prosecuted after he admitted removing asbestos from a school when he didn’t hold the appropriate licence to do so.
It transpires that the contractor also intentionally falsified air clearance paperwork after removing the asbestos-containing materials, and he is known to have carried out similar work several months earlier at a domestic property in Middlesbrough.
HSE Investigation
An HSE investigation found the contractor had received the relevant training on how to safely remove licenced asbestos, he was therefore fully aware of the legal requirement to hold a licence for such works. He also failed to ensure a four-stage clearance was carried out on both jobs by a person accredited by an appropriate body, posing a serious risk of asbestos exposure.
The contractor appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to six charges, three charges at each offence location including contravening The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and breaching Section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
He was given an 18-month community order, which consists of 15 days of rehabilitation, 90 days of monitored alcohol abstinence as well as him carrying out 150 hours of unpaid work. He will also pay court costs of £1000.
After the sentencing, the HSE inspector involved in the case: “Asbestos-related disease still kills around 5,000 workers each year in Great Britain. It can be present today in any building or industrial process plant built or refurbished before the year 2000.
“We will not hesitate to take action where individuals disregard health and safety law such as can be seen in this case.”
Guidance
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has very recently updated its guidance on asbestos to coincide with a new campaign that aims to improve understanding of what the legal duty to manage asbestos involves.
Lighthouse have a wealth of experience in Asbestos Management services including surveys, training and re-inspections – if you have any queries call the advice line on 0300 303 5228 or email info@lighthouseriskservices.co.uk
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