Cladding boss exposed workers to asbestos

Grant Prior 11 years ago
Share

The owner of a cladding installation business has been fined after he exposed workers to a potentially fatal risk from airborne asbestos fibres at a house in Bedfordshire.

Michael Southern, owner of PMF Cladding, instructed an employee and a casual labourer to remove and replace soffit boards during refurbishment work at a property in Sharnbrook in August 2011.

Bedford Magistrates’ Court heard that Southern had not carried out a suitable survey in advance to determine whether asbestos was present and did not hold a licence to undertake work with the dangerous material.

A neighbour informed Southern that the soffits were made of asbestos insulating board but that did not stop him allowing work to carry on.

After a complaint was made to the HSE an inspector visited the site and immediately halted further work.

Inspectors found that Southern was aware from some of his previous jobs that soffit boards may contain asbestos but had not taken this into account when assessing this job.

He had also failed to provide information and training to workers who could be exposed to asbestos fibres.

Southern, 48, of Old Weston, Huntingdon, trading as PMF Cladding, Cambridge Road Industrial Estate, Bedford, was fined £7,015 and ordered to pay £3,200 in costs after pleading guilty to four breaches of asbestos regulations.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Gavin Bull, said:  “Mr Southern, as a person running a cladding installation business, should have been in no doubt about the dangers posed by asbestos and of the regulations governing work with this material.

“Despite this, he progressed this work without testing the material to be removed for the presence of asbestos.

“This resulted in those working there being exposed to risk of inhaling airborne asbestos fibres without taking any suitable precautions.

“This incident was entirely preventable and highlights the importance of having a robust asbestos management system in place. “

Latest news

Morris & Spottiswood acquires part of ISG fit-out division

ISG Cathedral acquisition saves 111 jobs and expands presence across England
7 hours ago

Extra tunnels included in £6bn East West Rail scheme

Government unveils plans for two new tunnels in Cambridgeshire
14 hours ago

Infrastructure to get £80bn boost from public sector pensions

New "megafunds" will invest in UK construction projects
15 hours ago

Bidders wanted for £800m building safety framework

Fusion21 launches renewal of deal across 12 lots
1 day ago

Winchmore wins £6.5m brickwork package on Stratford flats

Latest award from Graham on £69m development
15 hours ago

Motts/Jacobs JV to design £2.5bn West Yorkshire Mass Transit

First construction could begin in 2028
1 day ago

Muse signs landmark deal to redevelop Solihull shopping centre

Mell Square scheme includes 1,600 homes at 6.4ha town centre site
2 days ago

Reds10 raids house builders for two director hires

David Newey and James Bateman join as regional ops directors
2 days ago

Builder killed as telehandler overturns

House builder goes into liquidation before court hearing and £160,000 fine
2 days ago

Balfour Beatty regional MD steps down

Lindsay McGibbon is understood to be exiting for a job in the United States
2 days ago

Firms put on alert for £1.5bn decarbonisation framework

Fusion21 aims to invite bids in January for housing and public buildings retrofit framework
2 days ago

Morgan Sindall aboard for £22m London station roof renewal

Passengers will continue to use Liverpool Street Station while roof works take place above
2 days ago

Utilities contractor turns to Africa for skilled workers

IES Utilities Group recruits its 100th overhead linesman from South Africa and Zimbabwe
2 days ago

McLaren boosts building safety and refurb team

Paul Woodhams promoted to newly created MD role at expanding division
2 days ago

Firms fight to renew places on £450m JV North deal

17 firms face fight to retain places on north west housing consortium list
3 days ago

Subbies get £7m lifeline on ISG Cardiff schools site

Council strikes deal with administrators and appoints emergency interim contractor
3 days ago

United Utilities names water and waste water design consultants

AtkinsRéalis, Jacobs, Stantec, Binnies, Mott MacDonald, RPS, and WSP make line-up
3 days ago

Crown Estate in £1.5bn Cambridge Business Park revamp plan

A phased programme of construction will start in 2026
3 days ago

McLaughlin & Harvey returns to profit

Contractor back in the black and looking forward to another positive year
3 days ago

Graham wins £69m London Stratford flats job

Stratford Mill project will deliver nearly 250 flats
3 days ago

Mace to complete construction of ISG neuroscience centre

Contractor to work with UCL to finish stalled job
3 days ago

BAM finally breaks ground at £60m-plus Yeovil College

Agreed contract price 50% above original estimate on delayed Somerset college job
3 days ago

Forterra trying to pass on NI cost increases

Brick and block giant writing to customers about 2025 price rises
4 days ago

Refurb contractor Troy Central goes into administration

Suffolk based hotel and leisure specialist had a £38m turnover
4 days ago

Former ISG director joins Wates as regional construction MD

Wayne Flannery joins Wates construction board after nearly 20 years at ISG
4 days ago

McLaren strengthens team for £1.1bn York Central scheme

CEG’s Head of Development (North) Karen Stafeckis joins McLaren Property
4 days ago

ISG collapse brings down glazing contractor

All staff made redundant at Vitrine Systems Limited
6 days ago

Wates gets go-ahead for 235 homes at Cardiff school site

City's first well being village approved
4 days ago

Cost of HS2 bat shed hits £100m

Construction costs revealed for Sheephouse Wood Bat Mitigation Structure
6 days ago

JRL close to deal on sale of stake to Far Eastern buyer

Equity sale plan to strengthen balance sheet and improve liquidity
7 days ago

Contractor services