Asbestos fine highlights ‘public disquiet’

A company managing Ministry of Defence property has been fined £33,000 after allowing staff to come into contact with asbestos, despite warnings.

Interserve (Defence) Ltd appeared at Oxford Crown Court this month following an investigation by the Health and Safety Eexecutive (HSE).

An asbestos survey undertaken in the boiler room at an MOD base in Arncott, Bicester, in early 2005, found that the whole room was contaminated with asbestos and recommended that access to the room should be restricted until it was removed.

Interserve failed to follow the advice of the survey and consequently workers were left at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres for over a year.

The company pleaded guilty at a previous hearing, on 11 June at Banbury Magistrates Court, to contravening regulations 4(8)(c), 6(1)(a) and 10(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2002.

It was fined £33,000 and ordered to pay costs of £17,936. Judge Mr Recorder Prior said the fine should reflect "public disquiet" over asbestos safety.

HSE Inspector for Oxfordshire, Matthew Lee, said: "Around 4,000 people die each year from past exposure to asbestos and the material may be present in any building built before the year 2000.

"It is therefore essential that duty holders and facilities managers are aware of the risk it still poses and their responsibilities in managing it.

"Facilities managers are key to ensuring that effective management systems are in place to protect workers and to ensure that duty holders meet their legal responsibilities."

Asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, can have a severe and fatal effect on workers, particularly those within the construction sector. If you've been contaminated by asbestos due to the negligent actions of your employers, our solicitors are here to make sure you are properly compensated.