Menu
09/03/2011
Company Fined For Asbestos Exposure
A refurbishment company has been fined after workers and the public were exposed to asbestos in a Leicestershire village.
Shengxuan Company Ltd was converting a shop in Borough Street, Castle Donington, into a restaurant in June 2010.
Part of the work involved converting an integral garage into a storeroom but in doing so, workers disturbed asbestos-containing materials. This was then put in a skip by the workers, who were unaware of its presence or its risks.
A member of the public with experience in the asbestos industry walked past the site, saw what was in the skip and reported it to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Other debris was also seen on the floor between the skip and the garage.
The HSE's subsequent investigation found the firm had not made its workers aware of the dangers of asbestos and had not given them any training in how to recognise or deal with it. A prohibition notice was served, stopping all work until the problem was rectified.
HSE Inspector Sam Russell said: "The company had a duty to protect its employees and the public from exposure to asbestos, yet failed in that duty.
"Before starting work the company should have carried out a survey to ascertain if asbestos was present and then arranged for it to be removed safely by a licensed company. By failing to do that, they put people's health at risk by contaminating a public area with asbestos.
"The latest health and safety statistics show that more people are dying as a result of asbestos related diseases than are killed in accidents at work. This situation will not change unless organisations take their duty to manage asbestos seriously."
Shengxuan Company Ltd, of Pendeford, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to breaching Control of Asbestos Regulations and was fined £4,000 by Loughborough magistrates. The company was also ordered to pay full costs of £2,100.
(BMcN/GK)
Shengxuan Company Ltd was converting a shop in Borough Street, Castle Donington, into a restaurant in June 2010.
Part of the work involved converting an integral garage into a storeroom but in doing so, workers disturbed asbestos-containing materials. This was then put in a skip by the workers, who were unaware of its presence or its risks.
A member of the public with experience in the asbestos industry walked past the site, saw what was in the skip and reported it to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Other debris was also seen on the floor between the skip and the garage.
The HSE's subsequent investigation found the firm had not made its workers aware of the dangers of asbestos and had not given them any training in how to recognise or deal with it. A prohibition notice was served, stopping all work until the problem was rectified.
HSE Inspector Sam Russell said: "The company had a duty to protect its employees and the public from exposure to asbestos, yet failed in that duty.
"Before starting work the company should have carried out a survey to ascertain if asbestos was present and then arranged for it to be removed safely by a licensed company. By failing to do that, they put people's health at risk by contaminating a public area with asbestos.
"The latest health and safety statistics show that more people are dying as a result of asbestos related diseases than are killed in accidents at work. This situation will not change unless organisations take their duty to manage asbestos seriously."
Shengxuan Company Ltd, of Pendeford, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to breaching Control of Asbestos Regulations and was fined £4,000 by Loughborough magistrates. The company was also ordered to pay full costs of £2,100.
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 November 2010
North Tyneside Boss Fined For Asbestos Failings
The boss of a refurbishment company has been fined for failing to provide adequate information, instruction and training to workers in the proper procedures when dealing with asbestos.
North Tyneside Boss Fined For Asbestos Failings
The boss of a refurbishment company has been fined for failing to provide adequate information, instruction and training to workers in the proper procedures when dealing with asbestos.
28 June 2010
Union Slams 'Work Until You Drop' Bid
Proposed changes to the age of retirement in the UK have been savaged by a leading trade union. Construction union UCATT have reacted with disgust to the announcement that the retirement age is set to be increased to 66 by 2016 with the expectation it will soon be increased to 70.
Union Slams 'Work Until You Drop' Bid
Proposed changes to the age of retirement in the UK have been savaged by a leading trade union. Construction union UCATT have reacted with disgust to the announcement that the retirement age is set to be increased to 66 by 2016 with the expectation it will soon be increased to 70.
20 August 2014
NHS Trust Fined Over Asbestos Failings
West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust has been fined almost £90,000 for putting its staff at risk of exposure to asbestos for 11 years. The hospital trust referred itself to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2011 and subsequently pleaded guilty to health and safety failings.
NHS Trust Fined Over Asbestos Failings
West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust has been fined almost £90,000 for putting its staff at risk of exposure to asbestos for 11 years. The hospital trust referred itself to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2011 and subsequently pleaded guilty to health and safety failings.
20 June 2005
Government launches consultation on smoking proposals
The government is to begin consultation on proposals to ban smoking in most public places in England. The government hopes that the consultation will lead to a Bill being introduced in the autumn. The ‘Choosing Health’ Public Health White Paper published last November, unveiled proposals to ban smoking in all enclosed public spaces and workplaces.
Government launches consultation on smoking proposals
The government is to begin consultation on proposals to ban smoking in most public places in England. The government hopes that the consultation will lead to a Bill being introduced in the autumn. The ‘Choosing Health’ Public Health White Paper published last November, unveiled proposals to ban smoking in all enclosed public spaces and workplaces.
14 February 2011
HSE Clampdown On Unsafe Construction Sites
Over the next month, construction sites across the West Midlands will be visited as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death and injury in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries.
HSE Clampdown On Unsafe Construction Sites
Over the next month, construction sites across the West Midlands will be visited as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death and injury in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
