Asbestos exposure shows need for health and safety training
Hutchinson HiFi and Vision Ltd exposed Matthew Thompson, 28, to asbestos in 2010. Contractor Simon Cooper was hired by both companies to refurbish an empty shop in Cheltenham. Contractor Simon Cooper was in charge of the refurbishment and failed to ensure a proper survey was provided for the work Matthew Thompson would carry out. The contractor and retailer were prosecuted in Cheltenham Magistrates Court, leading to a fine of 3,500 pounds for the retailer and 600 pounds for the contractor.
The lack of survey led to improper protection from the asbestos insulation that was removed in an amount up to 85m. Both the retailer and contractor should have provided a survey of the building before the demolition and refurbishment was under way. The contractor, according to prosecution and the HSE health and safety audit results, should have requested survey information before allowing the man to start work on the facility.
It is clear that health and safety training is needed at both companies. A workstation risk assessment course and training from Winter and Company would help reduce the occurrence of safety and health incidents in the workplace. A risk assessment conducted on any building would also mean such requirements as a survey would be fulfilled.
Businesses have a duty of care to follow with regards to their employees. An employee should be safe when working at any site. Contractors need to ensure their employees are protected. To do so, workstation risk assessments for any new construction site, building refurbishment or other project needs to be compiled. Taking a course to enhance one’s training in this area would be most helpful to ensuring that no fines or incidents occur at your company based on the proper training in risk assessment management.
