HSE asbestos enforcement on 1-in-5 sites
HSE asbestos enforcement on 1-in-5 sites
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued asbestos-related improvement notices to 22 per cent of sites visited in a Kent inspection blitz. Inspectors visited 151 sites in Thanet, Cantebury, Dartford and Dover, and issued 33 improvement notices. They also issued two prohibition notices. The inspectors served one improvement notice and three prohibition notices relating to other safety concerns. HSE says the aim of the campaign is to remind businesses of their responsibilities under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. Mike Walters, principal HSE inspector in Kent, said it was 'disappointing to note that 25 per cent of the premises are failing significantly in their duty which has resulted in enforcement notices being served. Duty holders need to check if they are taking reasonable steps to ensure that asbestos is adequately managed in their premises.' In the US last week, a federal judge sentenced two contractors to prison for undertaking asbestos removal jobs that left homes and businesses contaminated. US district judge David Hurd sentenced John Wood of Plattsburgh to four years in prison and Curtis Collins of Willsboro to two years. Wood was also ordered to pay $854,166 in restitution. Collins must pay $114,902. The men pleaded guilty to Clean Air Act violations and other crimes related to asbestos removal jobs that left much of the cancer-causing material behind. Some of the asbestos was buried on a Willsboro farm and was eventually cleaned up using money from the US government's Superfund programme.
HSE news release. Contract Journal. HSE asbestos - hidden killer campaign. WTEN news.
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