Health and Safety Jeopardized by Failure to Identify Asbestos
A Cardiff company was the subject of health and safety investigations in 2010. The company was commissioned to deal with Old Castle Cinema renovations. It was found that the company was asked to examine the building first for asbestos to determine if there was any on the premises before renovation began. Yet, after health and safety audits on the company, it was found that the company put demolition workers at risk by failing to identify asbestos.
The court heard the case about the demolition plan and the asbestos survey. It was mentioned that the company did not examine the risks before workers began the demolition, but once it was started, they did find asbestos. The construction company pled guilty to breaching health and safety rules under section 3(1). The courts have ordered the company to pay a fine of £5,000 and £3,000 in additional costs.
When a building is as old as the cinema it is essential that an asbestos survey be completed. Older buildings can still have asbestos in the roofs and walls because the companies may not have renovated as with the old theatre case. It was old enough to be in the building period when asbestos was still used and not considered a harmful product. The company failed to conduct properly a survey to make certain no dangerous products existed. This is why the court ruled in favour of a fine. It is also why the company pled guilty to the breach.
