The HSE will prosecute companies providing inaccurate R&D asbestos surveys
Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court recently heard how EAS Asbestos Limited were commissioned to conduct R&D asbestos surveys by Mercer Brothers Limited. They are a construction company who were contracted to demolish garages for Hyndburn Homes. EAS Asbestos stated in their R&D asbestos surveys that asbestos was only present in the cement roof sheets. Sometimes it is the case that certain areas may not be able to be accessed when surveys are carried out. If this is the case it should be clearly stated on the survey. Their R&D asbestos surveys stated that there was no AIB present in the garages. It did not state that there were areas that could not be surveyed.
Mercer Brothers went ahead with demolition of the garages. However all work was immediately stopped when suspect material was found by their trained operatives. This is the procedure that should always be adhered to and all operatives must be trained in asbestos awareness. Immediately another surveying company was called in and confirmed the presence of large amounts of AIB in the demolition rubble.
This resulted in a delay on the project and the HSE were informed.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated and they found that the survey carried out by EAS Asbestos Limited was incorrect and misleading.
HSE fine EAS Asbestos Limited
EAS Asbestos Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £6,700 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £170.
Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Jacqueline Western said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
“It sends out a stark warning that the HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
R&D asbestos surveys arranged by Inner City Environmental
As part of our services Inner City will arrange for Asbestos Surveys for our clients including R &D Asbestos Surveys. We have a database of surveyors that we use, and who have delivered high quality surveys consistently. As part of our ISO 9001 quality process we carry out audits on all our suppliers to ensure we can be 100% confident that all asbestos will be picked up on a survey, or if areas cannot be accessed this will always be clearly indicated on the survey.
If you need management or R&D asbestos surveys please contact us on
Tel: 01322 273517 or visit our website www.innercityenvironmental.co.uk
For more information on Asbestos follow the links to our other blog posts
Asbestos Removal Essex – What is Asbestos – Link
Artex in your home – Link
Asbestos Surveys – What you need to know – Link
Asbestos found in demolition – Link
The Asbestos Removal Process – Link
