HSE Vigilant About Asbestos Regulations
Asbestos exposure is linked to a number of work-related deaths in the
Regulations 5, 8 and 11 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 clearly define the specifications of a suitable assessment of the asbestos, carrying out asbestos removal without a licence, and exposing workers to asbestos. While the HSE is leaving no stone unturned in educating the firms and the employees about asbestos exposure, many firms are yet to understand and comprehend the repercussions of failing to do the same.
Eastern Regional Shopfitters Ltd, based in Cambridgeshire, was prosecuted by the HSE for exposing five of its workers to the asbestos fibres. Two workers came in direct contact while ripping the panels in the ceiling and three management staff were exposed to asbestos fibres when they came for routine checks of work progress.
The incident occurred at Arndale Centre in Manchester in October ‘09. Though HSE had given a clear report of presence of asbestos at the site, Eastern Regional Shopfitters Ltd ignored the report and went ahead to execute the contract exposing its employees to serious risks of asbestos exposure. It was fined £4,000 at Trafford Magistrates’ Court with an additional cost of prosecution amounting to £3,215.
Asbestos exposure causes serious consequences to health of people and it is only fair that employees understand the significance. While employees rely on their employers to provide a safe work environment, it is the duty of employers to ensure adequate protection. Exposing workers to serious threats despite prior knowledge of the risk involved is an unpardonable error.
IOSH training can help organisations to cut the health and safety risks that apply in any workplace; take advantage of the IOSH Managing Safely Course; designed to give managers all they need to know to help handle health and safety in their teams, and to help identify and implement appropriate workplace precautions for specific risks or seek advice on workplace precautions.