Reliable Asbestos Surveys a Must at Work Sites, Says HSE
One of the major concerns of the HSE is to protect the workers from asbestos exposure occurring mainly during the refurbishing activities. In a recent case the agency has fined Chorleywood, Hertfordshire based Bestoff Services Limited, engaged in asbestos surveying, for negligence and breaching Section 3(1) of the 1974 Health and Safety Act.
In February 2008, Bestoff Service Ltd had conducted an asbestos survey on a construction site before commencement of work, and gave a go-ahead report to the contractor. When the actual refurbishing work began on the site, which involved removal of fibrous panels, the site manager grew apprehensive and carried out an additional analysis of the removed panels on March 27. The research revealed the presence of asbestos on the removed panels as well as traces of asbestos in various parts of the building where the workers were deployed. Consequently, the survey company was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay almost £2,000 as compensation, for compromising the safety of the workers.
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According to Karen Morris, HSE inspector, a fine was not imposed on the contractors as they had fulfilled their responsibility by engaging a specialist asbestos survey company. The problem was that an inaccurate report was handed to them by the survey company. The HSE also acknowledged that the keen observation of the site manager helped in saving the two workers and others from harmful effects of asbestos. However, the agency stressed that it is important to hire competent surveyors who can conduct a proper assessment of the site before work is started.
