Local authority fined after school contractors exposed to asbestos

A local authority and a refurbishment company have been fined for a “simply unacceptable” incident where three men were exposed to asbestos during work on a school.

Birmingham City Council had contracted Solihull Supplies Ltd, of Lodge Road, Knowle, to refurbish the reception area at William Cowper Community Primary School, Newtown, Birmingham.

Solihull Supplies then sub-contracted another firm – which cannot be named as legal proceedings are still ongoing – to remove ceiling tiles at the school without carrying out a proper risk assessment.

On 24 July 2009 two workers from the firm were tasked with stripping out tiles from seven rooms being refurbished.

However, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the tiles contained brown asbestos and the work lasted several hours, exposing both workers and the school caretaker to asbestos.

Also, rather than use a cleaner with a specialised filter, an ordinary vacuum cleaner was used which would have spread fibres into the air.

The HSE told Birmingham Magistrates’ Court that the subcontractor firm did not have a licence to undertake work with asbestos, had no knowledge of how to deal with asbestos and had given its employees no training in dealing with the substance.

Birmingham City Council pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £1,091 costs.

Solihull Supplies pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and was fined £1,750 and ordered to pay £1,091 costs.

HSE Principal Inspector Jo Anderson said after the hearing: "Because of the failing of the council and the firms involved, three people now have to live with the knowledge they may become ill from lung disease in the future.

"The long term health risks associated with exposure to asbestos dust are well known and it is simply unacceptable for incidents such as this to still be taking place. This was an entirely preventable incident which could have been avoided if those involved had assessed the situation properly and taken the necessary precautions."