A demolition firm has been fined £1,500, with costs of £10,000, after failing to manage and monitor asbestos removal work at a site in Nottinghamshire.
Yorkshire-based Libra Demolition Ltd was the principal contractor on a project to demolish buildings at the former Vesuvius works in Sandy Lane, Worksop, between 25 March and 22 August 2008.
A number of buildings on the site contained asbestos, the removal of which should be declared to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and carried out by a licensed asbestos contractor. During a joint HSE and Environment Agency prosecution, Worksop Magistrates' Court heard the buildings were demolished, but no records of the safe removal or disposal of the asbestos were found. In addition, the HSE received no notifications for its removal.
The discovery came to light when debris from the Vesuvius site was found at an unlicensed waste disposal site.
HSE inspector Ken Wilson said, "Libra Demolition was the principal contractor for the demolition project and had control of the site. It is completely unacceptable for any firm to disregard its responsibilities in this way. The firm neglected to manage and monitor the project so as to ensure the asbestos was removed safely under licensed conditions by a licensed contractor, and therefore failed in its legal obligations. The dangers of asbestos are well known and contractors should be aware that the HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any firm that ignores the law in this way."
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