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Asbestos removed improperly from Gloucestershire primary school

Company fined after asbestos removed improperly from primary school

The HSE have successfully prosecuted a company who carried out refurbishment at a primary school and had asbestos removed improperly.

R F Gardiner Limited did not have a licence for the asbestos removal they carried out in October 2016.

As such, they put pupils, teachers, staff, visitors, workers and parents at risk of asbestos exposure at Dursley primary school in Gloucestershire.

The company were fined by Cheltenham Magistrate’s Court.

At the time of the asbestos removal, there was no water suppression used or an enclosure set up on site, which resulted in asbestos fibers escaping and spreading.

Construction workers were also put at risk as they had not been face-fit tested for the face mask they were wearing.

The court heard how the workers had no way of decontaminating themselves onsite once completing the work.

 

Asbestos removed improperly from primary school - Dursley junior school

 

HSE investigated the unsafe asbestos removal

After a lengthy investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), they found the company guilty of having had asbestos removed improperly and carrying out unlicensed asbestos removal.

R F Gardiner Ltd plead guilty at Cheltenham Magistrate’s Court to having breached Sections 8(1), 11(1) and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

They were subsequently fined a total of £28,000 and ordered to pay associated costs of £1,141.80.

James Lucas, HSE inspector, said in a statement, “The company in this case should have ensured appropriate measures were identified during the planning process to include the engagement of a licensed asbestos contractor to carry out correct control measures and safe working practices for the removal of the asbestos.”

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards”.

 

Source of article:-  www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/asbestos-removal-gloucestershire-primary-school-1424347

 

So make sure you contact our Armco office to arrange an asbestos survey, before it’s too late! 

Whether you need an asbestos management survey, or a refurbishment/ demolition survey, contact us on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting https://www.armco.org.uk/

Finally, for all your asbestos training needs call 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/to book an asbestos awareness training course.

 

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Published Apr 06, 2018

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