Pub operator in court following asbestos exposure - 1st December 2010 2010
A North
Eastern court has
heard how five
workmen were exposed
to asbestos when
refurbishing a
Darlington pub in
September 2007.
Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court heard that the three electricians and two plumbers were working at the White Horse pub which is owned by Mitchells & Butlers Retail Ltd. They were exposed to the asbestos when working in the kitchen area of the pub.
The company had initially ordered a survey to check for asbestos but they limited it only to those areas of the building where work was due to be carried out. This didn’t include the kitchen in the original plans but these were later changed.
Mitchells & Butlers was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay almost £12,000 in costs after admitting breaches of health and safety regulations.
After the
hearing HSE
Inspector Victoria
Wise said that
construction and
maintenance workers
were at great risk
of asbestos-related
diseases because of
the nature of their
work. She added:
“Mitchells & Butlers
Retail Ltd knew
there was asbestos
in the building and
should have ensured
that all the areas
where work was to be
done had been
checked for asbestos
and the necessary
precautions
taken. Everyone who
owns or operates
commercial premises
built prior to 2000
must ensure that a
suitable and
sufficient
assessment for
asbestos has been
carried out prior to
any construction
work starting.”
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2010/coi-ne-275.htm
