Complaint Triggers Health and Safety Audit for Asbestos
Two companies were fined for endangering workers and visitors due to asbestos. The two companies were unaware that a roof at a knitwear company contained asbestos. The knitwear company asked a construction company to remove their old cement sheet roof. During the removal of the roof, the workers did not wear any protective gear. Even though the plaster-like sheets were removed, no one bothered to assess them to see what material they were until a complaint was lodged. The complaint started health and safety audits from the HSE.
Upon investigating the factory in 2008, the HSE found that even after the first piece was removed neither company considered the age of the building and that the roof may contain asbestos. It was not until a complaint was brought against them for endangering workers that the two companies learned about the dangerous asbestos, a product that is known to cause cancer.
One of the companies will need to pay £6,000 in fines for beaching health and safety regulations. Mr Phillips pled guilty to a breach of Sections 11 and 16. He also admitted to breaking Section 37 of the safety and health laws. Mr Phillips is part of the construction company. Corgi Hosiery, in charge of the knitwear company, also has to pay out for breaching Regulation 11. They must pay £25,000 in fines and £15,000 for related costs. Had either company stopped work until the material was identified they would not have been fined.
