Firm fined £3,000 for exposing employees to asbestos
08:54 - 25/05/2010
Firm fined £3,000 for exposing emplo...
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted an engineering firm after significant health and safety failings meant that two of its employees were potentially exposed to harmful asbestos fibres.
Darchem Engineering Ltd, whose registered address is in Aberdeen, appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court where they pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 10(1) and 4(3) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. They were fined £3,000 and ordered to pay a further £5,266.62 in prosecution costs.
The court heard how on 13th November 2008, two maintenance staff were set to work on a task which involved them drilling into an asbestos insulation board. Darchem Engineering Ltd had failed to take appropriate precautions to manage the risks posed by the presence of asbestos before they ordered employees to undergo such work.
Disturbing the asbestos within the insulation board could potentially have released fibres that, if inhaled, could lead to a number of serious or fatal respiratory diseases.
Asbestos was widely used in the refurbishment and construction of buildings in the UK up until 1999. If left undisturbed its presence is not harmful, but before any work is carried out on a premises which contains asbestos it must be thoroughly assessed. Depending on its condition it should either be removed or appropriately managed. If it is left in place then anyone whose work may disturb it should be informed of its location and condition and there should be sufficient measures in place to prevent exposing anyone to its harmful fibres.
Commenting on the case, HSE Inspector Andrew Mulligan said: “Around 20 tradesmen a week are dying from asbestos-related diseases. Darchem Engineering Limited failed to manage the risks from asbestos on the site, potentially exposing two of its workers to these hazardous fibres.
“A suitable and sufficient assessment should have been carried out and the company should have made sure that their employees had adequate information, instruction and training.”
We can offer an Asbestos Awareness online training course. Pete Stock, Business Development Manager, explains: “It is essential that all companies who come into contact with asbestos make their employees aware of the risks. Our course covers exactly this, and can be completed by anybody with internet access. Training staff to be aware of the dangers of working with as dangerous a substance as asbestos can help them work safely which will save companies valuable time and money.”
We now offer over 40 E-Learning titles, including Asbestos Awareness training. For further information, contact us today.
Darchem Engineering Ltd, whose registered address is in Aberdeen, appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court where they pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 10(1) and 4(3) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. They were fined £3,000 and ordered to pay a further £5,266.62 in prosecution costs.
The court heard how on 13th November 2008, two maintenance staff were set to work on a task which involved them drilling into an asbestos insulation board. Darchem Engineering Ltd had failed to take appropriate precautions to manage the risks posed by the presence of asbestos before they ordered employees to undergo such work.
Disturbing the asbestos within the insulation board could potentially have released fibres that, if inhaled, could lead to a number of serious or fatal respiratory diseases.
Asbestos was widely used in the refurbishment and construction of buildings in the UK up until 1999. If left undisturbed its presence is not harmful, but before any work is carried out on a premises which contains asbestos it must be thoroughly assessed. Depending on its condition it should either be removed or appropriately managed. If it is left in place then anyone whose work may disturb it should be informed of its location and condition and there should be sufficient measures in place to prevent exposing anyone to its harmful fibres.
Commenting on the case, HSE Inspector Andrew Mulligan said: “Around 20 tradesmen a week are dying from asbestos-related diseases. Darchem Engineering Limited failed to manage the risks from asbestos on the site, potentially exposing two of its workers to these hazardous fibres.
“A suitable and sufficient assessment should have been carried out and the company should have made sure that their employees had adequate information, instruction and training.”
We can offer an Asbestos Awareness online training course. Pete Stock, Business Development Manager, explains: “It is essential that all companies who come into contact with asbestos make their employees aware of the risks. Our course covers exactly this, and can be completed by anybody with internet access. Training staff to be aware of the dangers of working with as dangerous a substance as asbestos can help them work safely which will save companies valuable time and money.”
We now offer over 40 E-Learning titles, including Asbestos Awareness training. For further information, contact us today.
Make your selections below and enter your postcode (if applicable). This will provide you with information about a course in a location convenient to you
