18 June HSE Campaign – Workplace Dust HSE Inspection Campaign HSE inspectors will, over the next few weeks, be focusing some of their time and effort on construction, woodworking and food manufacturing where occupational lung diseases, including in some cases occupational cancers, are more common. They will be asking what measures have been put in place to protect workers’ lungs from the … Read More
10 June HSE Campaign targeting dust Over the next few weeks, HSE inspectors will be focusing some of their time and effort on construction, woodworking and food manufacturing where occupational lung diseases, including in some cases occupational cancers, are more common. They will be asking what measures have been put in place to protect workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, … Read More
4 April Asbestos disturbed – hoteliers fines A Devon based hoteliers was been sentenced after asbestos-containing materials (ACM) were disturbed during a major refurbishment at The Park Hotel in Barnstaple. The Magistrates’ Court in Newton Abbot heard that between October 2016 and May 2017 construction work was undertaken to refurbish the hotel on Taw Vale. Parts of the hotel were originally constructed during … Read More
6 September Local Council fined after workers exposed to asbestos in a Primary School Asbestos in a Primary School – Kent County Council (KCC) was fined £200,000 after asbestos was disturbed at Lansdowne Primary School. Canterbury Crown Court heard how, in November 2014, an environmental health officer was carrying out a routine food inspection when they noticed what looked like an asbestos rope hanging from the ceiling. A prohibition notice … Read More
6 September Asbestos containing metal gauze products supplied to schools The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that it has been made aware that two UK Laboratory Supply companies have supplied schools (and potentially other users) with gauze mats that contain asbestos. These metal gauze mats are designed for use over Bunsen burners. The HSE has served enforcement notices on both companies. A spokesperson for … Read More
22 June Asbestos failures lead (again) to substantial fines A building contractor has been fined after failing to carry out the correct procedures after asbestos was found during the refurbishment of a building at Bedford School in Bedford. Asbestos failures included the lack of a demolition/refurbishment survey and failure to manage asbestos after it was disturbed. Luton Crown Court heard how on 11 August … Read More
2 May Forged asbestos documents leads to fine and suspended jail sentence Forged documents led to prosecution: fines and suspended sentences In April 2018, an asbestos removal company and two of its managers were prosecuted after forging documents in order to obtain an asbestos licence from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, between 16 March 2012 and 10 March 2016, Excavation … Read More
27 April Catalogue of failures – including using crowbars to smash an asbestos roof Quainton Logistics and Storage had let conditions on site fall well below the expected standards, said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Workers use crowbars to smash asbestos roof Workers had not been given personal protective equipment and used crowbars to smash up asbestos cement roof sheets, which was then left on top of mobile … Read More
11 April Construction Site Asbestos Awareness According to IOSH, “Uncertainty and ignorance” risks more asbestos deaths. Nearly one in four UK construction workers believe they may have been exposed to asbestos fibres, placing them at higher risk of contracting terminal cancers later in life. Key findings of a recent report for the “No Time to Lose” campaign (relating to work-related cancer) include: … Read More
26 July Asbestos Failures lead to fines of more than £1,000,000 Once more, a large fine is imposed on companies that fail to manage the health risks to their workers (and others) from potential exposure to asbestos properly. Asbestos failures mean that three companies have together been fined more than £1,000,000 after workers were exposed to asbestos while refurbishing a school in Waltham Forest. The Southwark Crown … Read More