![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
Asbestos insulation board removed in wheelbarrow into open-topped van
Partners of Belton Developments (BD) and South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) have been prosecuted following the spread of asbestos during bathroom renovation work at a domestic dwelling on 30 March 2010.
Workmen removed asbestos insulation board (AIB) from around the bath and wheelbarrowed the material through the flat and communal areas before loading it into an open-topped van. A licensed asbestos contractor was required to decontaminate the area and carry out air clearance tests.
SKDC failed to provide adequate information on asbestos to BD and ensure competence to carry out work with asbestos. The three partners of BD failed to prevent the spread of asbestos or ensure that their employees were properly trained to deal with it.
Developers had received previous ‘warning’ on survey requirement
BD partners had been served a Prohibition Notice preventing refurbishment work at a property in Manners Street on 18 March 2010, which was also an SKDC-owned building, as a suitable asbestos refurbishment and demolition survey had not been undertaken.
South Kesteven District Council pleaded guilty to breaching CDM 2007 Regulations 4(1)(a) and 10(1)(b) and were fined a total of £16,600 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £3,486. BD partners Trevor Hague, Neil Hague and David Couth pleaded guilty to breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 Regulations 10(1)(a) and 16 and were fined a total of £3,003 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £900.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Mhairi Lockwood said:
“Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. This case emphasises the importance of clients providing contractors with information on the presence of asbestos-containing materials including an appropriate asbestos survey in order that the significant risks from asbestos can be managed and controlled.
Contractors need to be aware of the potential for asbestos to be disturbed while carrying out building work and provide their employees with adequate information, instruction and training so they can protect themselves and others.”