Marks & Spencer to pay £1 million fine for asbestos exposure

Back in July we reported that Marks & Spencer had been found guilty of exposing shoppers, staff, and contractors to asbestos.

From our previous coverage:

In its Reading store a number of asbestos ceiling tiles needed to be removed along with other small occurrences of asbestos-filled materials. M&S contracted the work out to Willmott Dixon Construction and PA Realisations. All three companies have been found guilty of breaching health and safety regulations.

The reason why is a failure on the part of each company to take due care to ensure asbestos was handled and removed safely. Surprisignly M&S decided to use its own guidance for the removal of the asbestos rather than adopting an approved approach. It also made the contractors work on small areas above the public shop floor which was then reopened to the public each day.

It has now been revealed what being found guilty has cost the high street retailer. M&S was found guilty of two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. For each offence it has been fined £500,000. Now the company has to find £1 million while at the same time stating it is disappointed as they felt their actions were responsible.

Source: BBC