Workers exposed to asbestos 'had no protective workwear'
Categories:
General Health and Safety |
A fine of more than £30,000 has been levied on a property management firm, which exposed workers to asbestos without them wearing protective workgear.
The Halifax-based business pleased guilty to seven offences under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was ordered to pay £2,475 in costs in addition to the fine.
Up to 15 employees were unknowingly exposed to the fibres when upgrading the roof of a factory in 2007. A local business reported seeing stripped materials, which it suspected contained asbestos, to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
An HSE investigation then revealed that the company had not undertaken an asbestos survey or risk assessment, did not have a licence to remove the fibres and had not trained staff in how to take it out.
HSE inspector Rachel Brittain commented: "The dangers of asbestos should never be underestimated and are well known in the property industry and beyond. For a company to put workers at this level of risk shows a total disregard for their safety and welfare.
"I can't stress enough how important it is for anyone carrying out building work to obtain the proper asbestos surveys and then act upon them," she added.
Related Articles
Personal protective equipment 'a useful present'
Focus group goes to HSE over safety concerns.
Norwich Union Risk Services is urging fleet bosses to tighten their risk management procedures.
Local government officials have backed a plan to simplify health and safety regulations.
A business park in Norfolk was evacuated after undiluted cleaning fluid released potentially harmful fumes.
