A specialist asbestos surveyor has been prosecuted after it failed to detect large amounts of asbestos insulation board at a demolition site.

EAS Asbestos Limited of Lower Meadow Lane, Huthwaite, Sutton in Ashfield has been fined £6,700 with £1,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £170 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how the company were commissioned to carry out refurbishment and demolition surveys by Mercer Brother Limited, a contractor appointed to demolish garages for Hyndburn Homes.

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EAS Asbestos stated in their surveys that asbestos was only present in the cement roof sheets, there were no areas that could not be accessed, and that there was no asbestos insulation board present in the garages.

As a result, the demolition of the garages went ahead on 01 February 2017. However, work was immediately stopped when suspect material was found. Another surveying company later confirmed the presence of large amounts of asbestos insulation board in the demolition rubble.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the survey carried out by EAS Asbestos was incorrect and misleading.

HSE inspector Jacqueline Western said: "This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards."

(LM)