Major high street retailer faces charges
14:57 - 18/12/2009
Major high street retailer faces char...
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has initiated criminal proceedings against high street giant Marks and Spencer plc, along with four construction companies, for exposing people to asbestos during refurbishment work at stores in Reading, Bournemouth and Plymouth.
The prosecution procedure began at Bournemouth Magistrate’s court on 12th January this year. It was alleged that the companies involved failed to ensure that staff and members of the public were not exposed to risks from asbestos-containing materials while the work was taking place.
Marks and Spencer plc have pleaded not guilty to breaching three counts of section 2(1), relating to their own staff, and three counts of section 3(1), relating to members of the public and other workers, of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Each of these charges relates to all three stores and date from September 2004 to November 2006.
Cheshire-based company, Styles and Wood Ltd, were faced with charges relating to offences committed between 24th April and 13th November 2006 at the Marks and Spencer plc store in Reading. They pleaded guilty to contravening sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and will be sentenced at Crown Court at a later date.
Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd of Hertfordshire, were charged with breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 while they carried out work at the Bournemouth store between 5th February and 3rd July 2007. The company entered no plea to the allegations.
PA Realisations Ltd, based in Manchester, stand accused of contravening regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 while they worked at the Reading store between 24th April and 12th November 2006. They are also accused of breaching regulation 15 of this act in the period between 5th May and 12th November 2006 at the same site. PA Realisations Ltd were not represented in court during the initial hearing.
A committal hearing date has been set for 2.15pm on Tuesday 9th February 2010 at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court. A fifth company, Clarence Contractors Ltd, have already been prosecuted and sentenced in relation to asbestos removal. The Sheffield-based company, which is in terminal liquidation, was fined £200 for their offences and ordered to pay £100 in costs. They pleaded guilty to multiple breaches of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 at both the Plymouth and Bournemouth stores during 2007.
We offer an Asbestos Awareness online training course. Pete Stock, E-Learning Account 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.
The prosecution procedure began at Bournemouth Magistrate’s court on 12th January this year. It was alleged that the companies involved failed to ensure that staff and members of the public were not exposed to risks from asbestos-containing materials while the work was taking place.
Marks and Spencer plc have pleaded not guilty to breaching three counts of section 2(1), relating to their own staff, and three counts of section 3(1), relating to members of the public and other workers, of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Each of these charges relates to all three stores and date from September 2004 to November 2006.
Cheshire-based company, Styles and Wood Ltd, were faced with charges relating to offences committed between 24th April and 13th November 2006 at the Marks and Spencer plc store in Reading. They pleaded guilty to contravening sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and will be sentenced at Crown Court at a later date.
Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd of Hertfordshire, were charged with breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 while they carried out work at the Bournemouth store between 5th February and 3rd July 2007. The company entered no plea to the allegations.
PA Realisations Ltd, based in Manchester, stand accused of contravening regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 while they worked at the Reading store between 24th April and 12th November 2006. They are also accused of breaching regulation 15 of this act in the period between 5th May and 12th November 2006 at the same site. PA Realisations Ltd were not represented in court during the initial hearing.
A committal hearing date has been set for 2.15pm on Tuesday 9th February 2010 at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court. A fifth company, Clarence Contractors Ltd, have already been prosecuted and sentenced in relation to asbestos removal. The Sheffield-based company, which is in terminal liquidation, was fined £200 for their offences and ordered to pay £100 in costs. They pleaded guilty to multiple breaches of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 at both the Plymouth and Bournemouth stores during 2007.
We offer an Asbestos Awareness online training course. Pete Stock, E-Learning Account 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.
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