A property management company has been prosecuted for asbestos safety failings during work two extensive refurbishment projects,

Thistlemoor Healthcare and Management Ltd has been fined £15,000 with over £1,805 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 5 of Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court heard how the company carried out construction work at two properties, one of which was part of a medical centre in Peterborough, between April and May 2017.

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During this period, Thistlemoor failed to carry out an asbestos survey for either property, both of which were likely to contain asbestos.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the company undertook and carried out construction which was likely to disturb asbestos-containing materials during the strip out and part demolition of the two properties. Despite this, the company failed to carry out an asbestos survey for either property

HSE inspector Samantha Wells said: "The risk of exposure to asbestos could so easily have been avoided if the company had carried out a suitable and sufficient asbestos assessment to identify the presence of asbestos within properties prior to commencing refurbishment work.

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

(LM)