A Leeds trader has been given a suspended jail sentence after exposing a household and workers to potentially dangerous levels of asbestos fibres at a home.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and asbestos-containing materials will release fibres into the air when damaged or disturbed. If inhaled, they can lead to serious and fatal disease, often years down the line.
The trader took on a job to remove asbestos insulating board despite the fact that he did not hold the legal licence required to carry out the specialist work. He hired a couple of workers to help him but totally failed to take any of the vital safety measures needed, or implement the tight controls imposed by law, to protect workers, local people and the environment when working with the material.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the trader for safety breaches at Leeds Magistrates’ Court after investigating the incident in July 2011.
The case highlights the need for awareness of the potential presence of asbestos and the importance of undertaking relevant training.
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This article contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence.
