Teesside firm fined for potential asbestos exposure

Date:

4 June 2010

Release No:

NE/167/10

A Teesside engineering firm where two workers were potentially exposed to asbestos fibres was yesterday fined a total of £3,000 for failing to protect their employees.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Darchem Engineering Ltd, which is registered at 6 Queen's Road, Aberdeen. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 10(1) and 4(3) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 at Teesside Magistrates Court.

The court heard how on 13 November 2008, two maintenance workers were relocating a junction box in the Aerospace reception area at the company's site in Ironmasters Way, Stillington, Stockton on Tees. This required them to drill into asbestos insulation board without taking appropriate precautions.

Darchem Engineering Ltd failed to adequately manage the risks from asbestos on the site and as a result the two workers were potentially exposed to asbestos fibres.

When in good condition and undisturbed, asbestos-containing material presents no problem. However, when damaged or disturbed, it can release fibres that, if inhaled, can cause a number of fatal or serious respiratory conditions.

After the case, HSE Inspector Andrew Mulligan said: "Around 20 tradesmen a week are dying from asbestos-related diseases. Darchem Engineering Limited failed to manage the risks from asbestos on the site, potentially exposing two of its workers to these hazardous fibres.

"A suitable and sufficient assessment should have been carried out and the company should have made sure that their employees had adequate information, instruction and training.

"Fortunately a contractor who had asbestos awareness training identified the potential for asbestos to be present and work was stopped. He knew the key message: if in doubt stop and check."

Anyone with responsibility for maintenance activities, must check for the presence of asbestos material and, depending on its condition, either remove or manage it. If they choose to manage it they must make sure that information on the location and condition of the material is given to anyone whose work might disturb it. They must also ensure that any work carried out does not expose anyone to asbestos fibres.

Darchem Engineering Ltd was also ordered to pay £5,266.62 in costs.

Notes to editors

1. HSE is Britain's national regulator for workplace safety and health. It aims to reduce injuries and illness in the workplace
2. Regulation 4(3) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: "In order to enable him to manage the risk from asbestos in non-domestic premises, the dutyholder shall ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out as to whether asbestos is or is liable to be present in the premises."
3. Regulation 10(1) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: "Every employer shall ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is giving to those of his employees who are or who are liable to be exposed to asbestos, or who supervised such employees..."
4. Asbestos products have been widely used in the UK since the end of the 19th century and were used in the construction and refurbishment of buildings until 1999.
5. Visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/hiddenkiller/ for further information about asbestos.

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