A firm has been fined after it failed to protect workers during asbestos removal work at separate projects
Fines have been given to a firm for safety failings relating to the removal of asbestos. Enviro-Safe Limited was prosecuted for not protecting its employees from the spread of asbestos fibres during removal works across separate projects.
The case, which was brought before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, revealed the firm failed to meet the standards required during the removal process, exposing workers to the risk of potentially life threatening illnesses.
Investigation by HSE
The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which found risks to employees could have been avoided through the use of enclosures to protect workers from asbestos fibres.
The firm pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 16 Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and have been fined £16,000. They were also ordered to pay costs of £7731.13
Speaking after the case HSE inspector Amy Kalay said: “Exposure to asbestos fibres is extremely dangerous to people’s health and the company had a total disregard for this when they failed to prevent the risk to their employees.”
Long term illness risk
One of the major risk factors of breathing in asbestos fibres is associated lung and other diseases. Asbestos fibres are toxic if inhaled or ingested in large enough quantities. It can cause respiratory diseases and cancer.
Mesothelioma and lung cancer are the main associated risk with asbestos exposure, with the former affecting the lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Data from the World Health Organization suggests approximately half of all deaths from occupational cancer are caused by asbestos.
Occupational cancers were put under the spotlight a few years back, with a campaign from the Considerate Constructors Scheme to raise awareness of the risks of developing work-related health problems.
