Back to news

Firm fined following asbestos exposure

A firm from Manchester has been fined after employees were exposed to the dangerous substance asbestos.

Westpoint Schoolcare was fined £1,000 with £515 costs for breaching Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 after it was found it failed to take the necessary steps to prevent employees being exposed to the substance.

The firm also took on work without holding a licence to handle asbestos, when it was appointed to refurbish Manley Park Junior School.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Thomas Merry explained Westpoint had been given the plans for the school, complete with information about the presence of asbestos in the area they were working.

"They had ample opportunity to ensure that the ceiling was not disturbed, and arrange for a competent licensed contractor to remove the asbestos in a safe, controlled manner," he added.

It was recently revealed that asbestos is present in the majority of schools in East Sussex, with 185 out of 195 schools in the area possibly having traces of the dangerous substance, the Kent and Sussex Courier reported.

Posted on 05/02/2009

Back to news