A construction company and its director have been fined after failing to ensure the safe removal of asbestos during demolition work.
Greater Manchester Magistrates' Court heard how Sherwood Homes Limited was the client responsible for the demolition of Crowton Mill in Northwich.
The results of an asbestos survey conducted in January 2017 identified the presence of asbestos containing materials on the site. The extra work required to remove the asbestos increased the estimated costs and timescale for the completion of the demolition.
An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Sherwood Homes Limited failed to ensure suitable contractors were used to carry out the asbestos removal work and demolition of the mill in February 2017. There was no record of a notification to the HSE to remove asbestos from the site and no details of how the asbestos containing materials were removed or how they were disposed of.
Sherwood Homes Limited had received previous enforcement by the HSE, including a prosecution in 2018 in relation to their role as a construction client.
The company was found guilty of breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations SI 2015/51, fined £170,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,406.
The company director pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in relation to the company's failing of the 2015 Regulations. He was fined £6,500 and ordered to pay costs of £7,000.
HSE Inspector David Norton commented, "asbestos is responsible for thousands of deaths in the UK every year but it only becomes dangerous when it is broken up and fibres are released into the air. Asbestos should only be removed by specialist contractors".
"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards".
