The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently reported that two companies have been fined they disturbed asbestos during refurbishment work.
Asbestos disturbed during refurbishment
Two employees of 24 – Hour Maintenance Services Limited disturbed asbestos insulating board whilst they were doing refurbishment work at former commercial premises, undergoing conversion into flats, in Romford.
Presence of asbestos not reported
An investigation by HSE found that the client, Firestone Estates Limited, had not passed on the details of the presence of the asbestos, despite prior knowledge.
Furthermore, 24 – Hour Maintenance Services Limited did not carry out a refurbishment and demolition survey to determine the presence of asbestos on the site. The two workers stripped out the asbestos insulating board without any effective precautions and received significant exposure to asbestos fibres.
Both companies fined for exposing employees to asbestos
Firestones Estates Limited were fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £1020.64 in costs with a £1000 victim surcharge. 24 – Hour Maintenance Services Limited were fined £5000 with £974.44 in costs and a victim surcharge of £500.
The case serves as a timely reminder that asbestos can be found in any building built before the year 2000. A refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey is required where the premises, or part of it, need upgrading, refurbishment or demolition.
If you have been exposed to asbestos by an employer and since been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease then please get in touch with our expert team of asbestos claim specialists at idclaims@boyesturner.com.
