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The Teesside Magistrates Court asked Jomast Developments Ltd, of Oriel House, Calverts Lane, Bishop Street, Stockton on Tees, a Teesside property development company, to fine a total of £3,000 for carrying out construction work on a building without taking the required health and safety measures. In June last year, the company had pleaded guilty before the Magistrates to five offenses related to the work on a Victorian three-storey commercial building in Silver Street, Stockton.
The five offenses are, failing to prevent the exposure of its employees to asbestos; failing to prevent or reduce the spread of asbestos; working with asbestos without a license; failing to ensure a health and safety plan with the requisite features was in place; and failing to take measures to prevent persons working at height from falling.
Rob Hirst, the HSE Acting Principal Inspector who observed the persons working at first floor level whilst refurbishing a 3 storey commercial property realized that joiners were at risk of falling because of inadequate precautions on site. He issued a notice prohibiting the work.
Analysis proved that the material attached to ceiling joists was asbestos insulating board (AIB). Further investigations made it clear that the measures taken to to prevent spread of, and exposure to, asbestos while removing the material was inadequate.
"Companies working with certain types of asbestos must have obtained a license, must work to strict standards and must ensure their staff have regular training and medical checks. This was not the case in this instance," he said, "The work took place next to a pavement used by members of the public."
Hirst said that asbestos related diseases remain an area of serious concern and are responsible for an annual death toll of thousands.
"Although these are mainly due to historical exposure those currently most at risk are those associated with demolition and refurbishment and persons who carry out internal work such as electricians, plumbers etc who may disturb materials within a building," he said, "I use this opportunity to remind the industry that those working on building refurbishment must not only address the obvious risks on site, but also take full account of the less obvious ones."
The Magistrates decided to fine the company £600 for each offense.
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