Graph Contract Services

Property developer fined after asbestos exposure

A Bristol property developer has been fined after it exposed employees to asbestos while working on a former Marks and Spencer shop building.

At least three employees of the contractor are known to have been exposed to potentially deadly asbestos fibres while working on the former M&S building on Queen Street, Bridgwater, between 17 September and 24 October 2012.

Taunton Magistrates’ Court heard today (31 March) that the contractor failed to plan for the potential presence of asbestos insulation board (AIB) before developing the property.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was alerted when they were notified by a non-licensed asbestos removal company, which had been asked to quote for the removal works. The firm was aware any such work had to be carried out by a licensed asbestos removal contractor.

An investigation by HSE found the contractor did not carry out a statutory survey to check for the presence of asbestos containing materials ACM prior to starting the work. Instead, for several weeks, workers were demolishing walls and ceilings in the building, breaking up the asbestos insulation board.

Employees were exposed to large amounts of airborne asbestos fibres, which spread through the inside and outside of the building during the work. The AIB removal should have been undertaken by a licensed contractor taking suitable control measures to prevent exposure and spread of the asbestos fibres.

Graph Contract Services– We have over 25 years hands-on experience of working with asbestos in both residential & commercial premises. We offer free impartial advice based upon our years of experience.  Asbestos awareness can save lives!

If you need an asbestos survey, or a need a material sampling & analysing for asbestos, please contact Graph Contract Services on 07802 455049. We carry out asbestos sampling, asbestos management surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys, asbestos demolition surveys, asbestos inspections, asbestos management of asbestos in domestic & non-domestic properties.

We work both local and nationally, having recently carried out asbestos surveys in Bristol, London, Manchester, Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford, Huddersfield, Halifax,

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