The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation and discovered that the Asbestos Surveyor who carried out the asbestos survey wasn’t actually trained in asbestos surveying.

He also had no previous experience with a qualified person or accredited organisation.

The Asbestos Surveyor incorrectly suggested in the asbestos survey that the large quantities of asbestos within the building could be removed by a a non-licensed contractor.

As part of their investigation, the HSE also discovered that Vital Property Solutions, the company who had employed the surveying company for the job, hadn’t checked the credentials of Home Inspectors Southern to see if they were capable and had the necessary qualifications and experience in asbestos surveying.

After the case was heard at Dudley Magistrates Court, Vital Property Solutions received a fine of £8,400 after pleading guilty to breaching s 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Also pleading guilty to the same offence was Home Inspectors Southern.

They received a fine of £4,800.

Each company were ordered to pay additional costs of £930.

Speaking after the hearing, Edward Fryer, HSE inspector said, “Asbestos surveyors have a duty of care to those persons who use the information they provide. The survey missed a significant amount of asbestos contaminated materials (ACMs) thus increasing the risk to workers, who would be disturbing the fabric of the building during the refurbishment/demolition project.”

“The risk arises from workers unknowingly working on ACM and not taking effective precautions to prevent exposure and spread of asbestos fibers.”

Source of article:-  https://www.ioshmagazine.com/article/untrained-asbestos-surveyor-missed-chrysotile-and-amosite