Directors and two firms fined over asbestos risk08 August 2014

A Hartlepool firm and two of its directors have been fined along with a second company after redundant steel work was removed, putting workers at risk of asbestos exposure.

Baxketh, a metal-recycling business, was contracted to remove the steel work from UK Tankcleaning Services premises in Billingham – but the steel included pipework covered in lagging containing asbestos.

This was removed by workers without the firm putting any measures in place to prevent the spread of asbestos fibres.

A joint investigation carried out by HSE's (Health and Safety Executive) Construction Division and Hazardous Installation Division, found "a significant amount of pipework and damaged insulation scattered on the ground". Baxketh was using a mechanical excavator with a grab to move steel work into a skip.

A Prohibition Notice was served on Baxketh to prevent further work, along with an Improvement Notice on UK Tankcleaning Services, requiring the firm to carry out an asbestos survey and develop appropriate systems.

Baxketh was fined £12,000 and £3,804.20 costs after pleading guilty to breaching Regulations 5(a) and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

UK Tankcleaning Services, of Doncaster, was fined £10,000 with £2,243.40 costs after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the same legislation.

"Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK and there is a lot of industry in the Teesside area that still uses, or occupies premises that have old chemical processing plant dating back to the 60's [and] almost all of it was lagged with asbestos in those days," warns HSE inspector Julian Nettleton.

"Site operators and contractors working at these sites should always assume that old pipework is lagged with asbestos unless there is reliable evidence that says otherwise,"he continues.

"Those involved in the construction and refurbishment industry also have a clear duty to ensure that work is managed so as to prevent the spread of asbestos."

Brian Tinham

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