Suffolk window replacement company has been fined after it exposed workers to potentially fatal asbestos material during work to replace window units at a school in Bury St Edmunds.
Frames Conservatories Direct Ltd (FCDL) informed Westley Middle school that asbestos panels would be removed by registered contractors and disposed of in the correct manner over the school summer holidays in 2012.
However, Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court was told the company was not licensed to work with asbestos. Furthermore, employees undertaking the work were not told they would be handling asbestos, nor did they use any control measures to prevent the spread of fibres.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated after being alerted both by FCDL employees and the school’s headteacher.
The court heard that concerns were first raised when other contractors noticed suspect material in a floor void and consulted a licensed asbestos contractor who then visited the school. The contractor saw window panels being removed and notified FCDL employees that they were handling materials likely to contain asbestos. Work was immediately stopped and the area sealed off.
A licensed contractor undertook an extensive programme of cleaning under strictly controlled conditions in all affected areas of the school. Once completed, air tests were carried out and the areas certified safe for re-occupation.
The school spent some £111,495 on environmental cleaning and replacement of teaching aids and other items that had to be destroyed because of contamination.
Frames Conservatories Direct Ltd, of Barton Retail Park, Barton Road, Bury St Edmunds, was fined a total of £24,000 and ordered to pay £10,571 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching regulations 8(1) and 11(1) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
(CD/MH)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
02/05/2024
Engineering steel specialist, William Hare Group, has scooped a contract to deliver the design, fabrication and installation of a sustainable steel solution for the latest iconic development at Broadgate in London. 2 Finsbury Avenue will comprise a 21-storey West Tower and a 36-storey East Tower, ...
02/05/2024
National Grid has teamed up with Smart Wires on an innovation project to make better use of grid enhancing technologies such as advanced power flow controllers, with the goal of reducing network congestion and maximising the potential of existing infrastructure. The Network Innovation Allowance ...
02/05/2024
Glencar and its client Wrenbridge have started construction work on a new 213,874 sq ft logistics and industrial unit at their new landmark 'Junction' gateway development in Luton. To mark the occasion a special ceremony was held on site attended by representatives from Wrenbridge, Glencar and the ...
02/05/2024
Speedy Hire has been named a Financial Times Europe Climate Leader for the second consecutive year. This accolade is awarded to the companies who are most successfully reducing their core greenhouse gas emissions, with Speedy Hire named due to its track record in supporting the decarbonisation of ...
02/05/2024
Boost safety and productivity in the workplace. It's time to say goodbye to your old hand pallet truck and call in new help. Get the support your business needs for everyday transport or stacking tasks, by moving goods safer and easier than ever with HC-Forklift-UK’s electric pallet trucks. ...
02/05/2024
Savills, on behalf of the Tom Duke Life Interest Trust, has announced the sale of Wisbridge Solar Farm for offers over £1.15 million. The 9.34 MW scheme is located between London and Cambridge in Royston, Hertfordshire, and was commissioned in September 2014. The fully operational freehold ...
02/05/2024
Budget Conservatories, a leading provider of high-quality windows and doors, has announced a special promotion to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Throughout the entire month of May, customers will have the opportunity to enjoy significant savings and the chance to win exciting prizes. To ...
02/05/2024
Construction firm Galliford Try has appointed David Lowery to Galliford Try’s Executive Board with effect from 1 July 2024, in the newly-created position of Divisional Managing Director of Infrastructure. David, who has extensive UK and overseas experience comprising more than 24 years, will ...
02/05/2024
Selco Builders Warehouse has created a fourth 'Selco Forest' as part of its carbon-offsetting tree-planting scheme. Set in Lomond Hills in Fife, the latest forest to be developed by the leading builders merchant covers 21 hectares and comprises of more than 54,000 trees. It means, over the last ...
02/05/2024
As spring arrives, bringing with it the promise of warmer days, managing your home's heating needs can become a little trickier, warns Rob Nezard, Managing Director of UK Radiators. What's more, it can also prove expensive if not done right. Here Rob spells out SIX spring heating mistakes that ...