Asbestos Surveyors Fail to Spot Asbestos in Schools
You would think that they would know better, but an asbestos surveying company who were inspecting school buildings in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales have been hit with a fine actor failing to correctly identify asbestos installation in school facilities.
Normandie Analytical Services Ltd failed to spot the dangerous substance while carrying out type II asbestos surveys at Aberdare Boys School, Aberdare and Pontypridd’s Cardinal Newman Comprehensive.
According to evidence given by the Health and Safety Executive the company did not spot the asbestos they were looking for at several schools within the HSE’s local jurisdiction.
As a result of failing to identify the potential problem at Cardinal Newman workers were exposed to insulation boards containing asbestos while carrying out building works at the premises.
As a result the HSE carried out an investigation and subsequently prosecuted the company under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act. At a hearing in Llwynypia Magistrates Court this week they received a fine amounting to £18,000 as well as being instructed to pay costs in the amount of £21,000.
HSE inspector Steve Lewis said that asbestos still a single biggest killer in the workplace today and that the company had totally failed to identify the presence leading to the potentially serious exposure of workmen from another company.
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