Workers asked to remove asbestos without protection

Workers rely on their manager and the company they work for to keep them safe while on site. In the case of the Three Crowns pub demolition in Chagford, Dartmoor, that was certainly not the case.

Refurbishment of the pub was carried out without an asbestos survey being completed. When suspicious boards were discovered, site manager Christopher Reed sent one off for asbestos testing, but continued to let his workers handle the boards without the proper safety equipment.

Such actions were unacceptable and the HSE have succeeded in prosecuting all those involved.

HSE Inspector Barry Trudgian commented:

"Asbestos dust can cause fatal lung diseases and the dangers are well known in the industry. On average, 20 tradesmen die every week from asbestos related diseases.

Once the asbestos boards were found, the site manager should have stopped the demolition work and reduced the risk of exposure by providing the workmen with a safe system of remedial measures.

This should include following a safe decontamination process, which, depending on severity, could include use of a mask, safe disposal of contaminated clothing and taking a shower."

Cowley's pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(1)a and 11(1)a of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and received £12,500 in total fines and £6,295 in costs. St Austell Brewery Company Ltd. pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and received a £5,000 fine and £6,295 in costs. Christopher Reed was fined £2,500 and charged £2,000 in costs for breaching Regulation 11 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

C&D Consultancy offer a range of asbestos training courses that can be tailored to suit your needs. They also cost far less than the £34,590 in fines and costs those involved in this incident now have to pay.

Source: HSE