£50,000 fine for building firm who breached the Health and Safety at Work Act

A building firm has been fined £50,000 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work act whilst undertaking refurbishment work at an independent school.

Buxton Building Contractors Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching the Act after commissioning a specialist survey for asbestos but failing to act when it was discovered in the basement area.

A number of different contractors worked in the area until the alarm was raised when someone broke through the ceiling and exposed asbestos insulation boarding.

The firm admitted a breach of Section 3(1) by failing to plan, manage and properly manage the construction work at the school.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said: “This was a serious failing on the part of the company.

“Having correctly commissioned an asbestos survey, it looks as though no-one at Buxton Contractors Ltd bothered to read it.

“Or if they did, they disregarded its contents and failed to act to protect site workers from exposure to what is one of the deadly killers in the construction industry.

“As a result, several people, including the young apprentice, were unnecessarily exposed to the risk of inhaling asbestos fibres.

“One can only wish and hope that there are no serious consequences for these workers in the future.

“It is vital that companies are fully aware of not just the duty to get an asbestos survey done, but then to act on its findings.

“There is considerable guidance freely available from HSE to assist duty-holders to deal with asbestos materials properly.”

For further information about asbestos-related illness compensation please click here or call 0800 107 3000.

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