A furniture manufacturing company was sentenced this month for failing to prevent exposure to asbestos at its factory in Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne.
North Tyneside Magistrates heard how during a 14-year-period, following an asbestos survey carried out in 2003 which identified the presence of asbestos-containing materials, the Company failed to introduce an adequate management plan or carry out remedial work to prevent potential exposure to asbestos fibres.
Following a concern raised by an employee to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2017, an investigation found the Company had failed to take measures necessary to protect employees from exposure to asbestos.
The Company also failed to ensure that maintenance workers were made aware of the locations of the asbestos to ensure they did not disturb it.
The Company, which is now in administration, was found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations SI 2012/632. Due to the Company being in administration, the Judge confirmed the fine which would have been £800,000, was reduced to £1.
HSE Inspector Ashfaq Ali commented "asbestos remains in many buildings where people work. If it is managed and in good condition, there is nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, the company didn't do what the law required and the asbestos in the building was not managed or maintained. This is a real risk and a clear breach of the law which required HSE to prosecute even though the company is in administration".
