Cheltenham Magistrates Court heard how, in October 2016, R F Gardiner Limited removed asbestos in an unsafe manner and did not have the appropriate licence to carry out the work. Operatives working for the company were exposed to high levels of airborne asbestos fibres during the removal work as no water suppression was used and they had not been face-fit tested for the face mask they were wearing.
An enclosure under negative pressure was not set up to contain the asbestos fibres released during the removal and as such asbestos fibres were spread to the surrounding area. Workers also had no way of decontaminating onsite on completion of the work.
The HSE’s investigation found that poor planning of the work meant that unsafe and unlicensed asbestos removal work was undertaken.
R F Gardiner Limited of Cirencester Road, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 8(1), 11(1) and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It was fined £28,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,141.80.
Speaking after the hearing, 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.”
In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, ‘Burnout, stress and being human’, Heather Beach is joined by Stacy Thomson to discuss burnout, perfectionism and how to deal with burnout as an individual, as management and as an organisation.
We provide an insight on how to tackle burnout and why mental health is such a taboo subject, particularly in the workplace.
Great to see the company were fined, but unfortunately, how does that help those exposed to the asbestos? There are too many cowboys in the trade who are only interested in profit, and in doing so will put others lives at risk. It needs to stop – forget the fine and send them to jail!
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