Profits prioritised over safety: UK company fined after workers exposed to asbestos
A company and its director have been sentenced after workers were exposed to asbestos and its potential harmful effects.
The following is an abridgement of an article originally published on the HSE website.
A company and its director faced fines and have been sentenced following workers' exposure to asbestos at their site in Manchester, UK.
Uncontrolled asbestos spread
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors discovered uncontrolled asbestos spread during a visit. This breach occurred despite HSE's recent efforts to raise awareness about asbestos risks.
The inspection revealed significant amounts of asbestos-containing materials. One unit taken down was estimated to contain 100 square metres of asbestos insulation board, 70% of which was demolished by hand and machinery.
The company director was aware of the dangers, having commissioned a qualified asbestos surveyor prior to demolition which revealed the presence of both licensed and unlicensed materials throughout the site. Despite this knowledge, the director gave the go ahead for asbestos removal to be conducted without proper precautions.
HSE campaign - 'Asbestos: Your Duty'
The HSE stresses the importance of asbestos safety, having recently updated its webpages on asbestos safety and the previous 2023 campaign Asbestos and You, which provides information about how to deal with asbestos on a job, and the personal risks from asbestos.
Recently launched earlier this year is the Asbestos: Your Duty campaign that aims to improve understanding of what the legal duty to manage asbestos involves.
Court outcomes
The company pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws and was fined £20,000 plus costs. The director received a suspended custodial sentence of 20 weeks, along with a £75,000 fine and costs.
HSE Inspector Phil Redman condemned their actions, emphasising the blatant disregard for worker safety. This case underscores the severe consequences of prioritising profits over health and safety.
“This case highlights how such behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Lives were deliberately put at risk as profits were prioritised over safety during the uncontrolled demolition and removal of asbestos containing materials."
Sources
Company and director fined after workers exposed to asbestos by HSE, 25th April, 2024.
