R. F. Gardiner Limited, a construction company, has been fined £28,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,148.80 after pleading guilty to breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations SI 2012/632.
In October 2016, the company was carrying out refurbishment works in a primary school in Dursley when it removed asbestos in an unsafe manner. Furthermore, the company was not licensed to work with asbestos. As a result, those working for R. F. Gardiner Limited were exposed to high levels of asbestos fibres in the air as no water suppression was used. In addition, the workers had not been face-fit tested for the masks they were wearing.
To add to the list of concerns, an enclosure under negative pressure was not established to contain the asbestos fibres released and workers had no way of decontaminating on-site when the work was completed.
A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discovered that the work was poorly planned, meaning unsafe work was carried out.
Following the hearing at Cheltenham Magistrates Court, HSE inspector James Lucas said: "The company in this case should have ensured appropriate measures were identified during the planning process to include the engagement of a licensed asbestos contractor to carry out correct control measures and safe working practices for the removal of the asbestos. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards”.
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