Legal News
Contractor fined for putting himself and others at risk of asbestosis (6 March 2017)
Date: 06/03/2017
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a Bedfordshire-based contractor who failed to carry out suitable assessment of asbestos removal work.
Anthony West was contracted to complete demolition work at a building in Biggleswade and had a pre-demolition asbestos survey carried out for the building.
On 16 April 2015, the demolition work was reported by a member of the public to the Health and Safety Executive, which prompted an investigation into the work.
The investigation found that West had not adequately checked the pre-demolition asbestos survey before carrying out the work and had not followed advice to use a licensed asbestos removal contractor.
West pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 5, 7, 8 and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
He was fined £2,970 and ordered to pay costs of £5,419.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Alison Outhwaite said:
“The safety failings in this case could have led to severe illness in later years. West not only put himself at risk to exposure – but potentially to fellow workers and members of the public walking past. Duty holders have the responsibility to ensure that adequate assessments take place to avoid the risk of asbestos exposure – this includes checking the accuracy and clarity of any information provided by others.”
Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors
Duncan Lewis can advise those who have been diagnosed with work-related mesothelioma or asbestosis on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation.
Personal injury claims for mesothelioma and asbestosis have to be made within three years of diagnosis.
Our specialist mesothelioma solicitors can advise in cases where a former employer may no longer be trading – and Duncan Lewis also offers supportive legal advice to bereaved families whose loved one was diagnosed with work-related mesothelioma or asbestosis at post mortem and who wish to make a claim for compensation.
For expert legal advice on no win no fee Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.