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Asbestos exposure case highlights importance of safety signs

29th March 2011 | Warning Signs, Health and Safety Signs

Posted by Ben Alexander.

A recent case of asbestos exposure has highlighted the importance of safety signs in the workplace.

Recently, a plant hire company and a construction services firm were fined for exposing employees and members of the public to asbestos.

Cambridgeshire-based Woodland Plant Hire had been contracted by Mansell Construction Services, of Croydon, to refurbish a residential block of flats in Hackney in November and December 2009.

During the work, asbestos insulation board was disturbed and removed by Woodlands, an unlicensed contractor, potentially releasing the deadly substance into the air.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Mansell Construction and Woodlands put workers and the public at risk by failing to properly manage the presence of asbestos during the refurbishment.

A survey identifying the presence of asbestos insulation board in a number of the properties had been given to Mansell but it did not act upon it nor pass it on to its sub-contractors.

Both firms were fined £50,000 each and ordered to pay joint costs of £20,690.

Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Dominic Ellis said: "Despite recent high profile campaigns on the dangers of working with asbestos, this case sadly illustrates some companies are still failing to manage the risks robustly."

Asbestos-related diseases are responsible for around 4,000 deaths a year, according to the HSE.ADNFCR-2754-ID-800478954-ADNFCR

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