Safety Signs News

Building firm fined over asbestos concerns

30th April 2010 | Health and Safety Signs

A Hampshire building company has been fined over fears about exposing workers to asbestos, it has been confirmed.

Nationwide Building Contractors was brought in to oversee the refurbishment of the Hall Garth Hotel Golf and Country Club in Coatham Mundeville, near Darlington.

However, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection found that the firm failed to carry out suitable checks for asbestos or asbestos-containing materials.

In addition, the body found asbestos pipe lagging in walls and floor voids where the work was being carried out, leading to the serving of a prohibition notice.

The company was found guilty of breaching Regulations 5, 11 and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 at Darlington Magistrates' Court and was fined £4,500.

"Construction and maintenance workers are the most at-risk groups from asbestos-related diseases due to the nature of their work," said HSE inspector Victoria Wise.

"Nationwide Building Contractors could have prevented this risk and should have ensured that the asbestos-containing materials in the work areas had been identified and, where necessary, removed."

Earlier this week, a self-employed gas worker was given a six-month jail sentence after being found guilty of carrying out tasks without suitable accreditation.

Posted by Jason Nicholls ADNFCR-2754-ID-19754095-ADNFCR