Last Updated on 22nd March 2018 by

Exposure to asbestos – Companies fined

As reported by the HSE, two different companies were recently prosecuted in court after they failed to prevent workers from the risk of exposure to asbestos.

Mr Frank Allan of the company known as Jet Blast and Maintenance, was employed by the Carter Brothers Ltd of Rochdale to clean the asbestos cement roof in September 2016.

However, the work was deemed unnecessary and hadn’t been agreed in advance with the landlord of the property.

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) carried out their own investigation, where they discovered that the contractor failed to carry out his own risk assessment before commencing the job.

As such, this meant there was nothing in place beforehand to prevent exposure to asbestos.

The contractor would be using a high pressure jet washer to clean the asbestos cement roof.

As a result, it was inevitable that asbestos debris was found around the premises after the job was finished.

Carter Brothers Ltd were at fault as they did not supervise the work that Frank Allan carried out on site.

They pleaded guilty at Greater Manchester Magistrates Court to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The company was also fined £8000 and ordered to pay costs of £3913.94

As for Frank Allan of Jet Blast and Maintenance, Rochdale, he pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 6 and 11 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

He was subsequently fined £330 and ordered to pay costs of £3910.94

Our words on the case

This case proves yet again how many people are ignoring the dangers of exposure to asbestos.

There is so much help and free information out there, particularly on the HSE website, but still people choose to ignore it.

The main reason appears to be cost – companies would rather skip having an asbestos survey done or spending money on a cleanup operation.

But as we’ve found, it often proves a lot more costly in the long run………and all to try and save a bob or two!

People’s health and wellbeing should always come first, especially when it comes to exposure to asbestos!

 

Duty holders and employers have a legal responsibility to manage asbestos in their properties, carrying out an asbestos survey in their building so as not to put employees at risk.

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.

 

 

Published Feb 21, 2018