Companies are still putting their workers lives in danger by not doing proper risk assessments when it comes to doing work on older properties. Whether it be through construction or demolition, asbestos has to be one of the main factors for a risk assessment. This hidden killer was used extensively during the 1950s till the early 80s as a fire treatment and can be found in many areas in older buildings. If you suspect asbestos is present do not work in that area and contact your manager as this material has to be properly disposed off by a licensed asbestos removal company.
What happens if you break up asbestos sheeting without proper training and equipment?
As the asbestos is broken down the fibres are released into the air, not only putting you in extreme danger but also your co-workers and anyone else that enters that area. As the fibres are released into the atmosphere they will eventually settle on your clothes in very high concentrates, they are then transported from your clothes to your car or public transport and finally into your own home with the potential to affect anyone that comes into contact with you.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are taking the possibility of asbestos contamination very seriously and are prosecuting unlicensed companies that break the law regarding the removal and disposal of this deadly material.
From ‘Safety News’ two local companies fined for unlicensed removal of asbestos.
Unlicensed contractor put worker’s health at risk from asbestos.
Workers exposed to asbestos dust while clearing 3,000m² of amosite asbestos insulating board at premises in Enfield may have unwittingly spread the fibres into their homes, vehicles, and onto public transport.
In 2005, Noble Gift Packaging Ltd contracted A & T Roofing Ltd to remove the roof from a building and for 12 weeks the broken tiles were swept into bags.
A & T Roofing Ltd of Enfield pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court of breaching r.3(1) of the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, and S.s 2(1) and 3(1) Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for which it was fined £25,000 with costs of £33,844.
Noble Gift Packaging Ltd of Enfield, pleaded guilty at the City of London Magistrates’ Court to breaching S.3(1) Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for which it was fined £40,000 with costs of £19,223.
An HSE official commented: “The actions of A & T Roofing Ltd in this matter were unpardonable; they were told 2 weeks into the project that they were working with brown asbestos but carried on for another 10 weeks. Noble Gift Packaging Ltd should have taken the basic step of having a full asbestos survey done after they were informed in a valuation survey that the roof contained asbestos.”
HSE are running there successful ‘Asbestos: Hidden Killer’ campaign which starts from November 2nd
Fact: Asbestos related diseases kills around 4000 people per year, making it the biggest killer of British workers.
Fact: more people die each year as a result of asbestos than are killed on our roads.
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