A Norwich firm has been fined the maximum amount for health and safety breaches when trying to remove asbestos from its premises.
East Anglian Constructions Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Peter Colby Commercials, had to remove asbestos from its premises but, after getting quotes which ranged from £24,000 to £30,000 to do the work, bosses decided to remove the asbestos themselves. However a court heard how they followed online advice to get rid of asbestos concrete rather than insulation board asbestos and, by following instructions for dealing with the wrong type of asbestos, they had put employees at risk.
Matthew Edwards, prosecuting, said that the company should have known that it was insulation board asbestos as that was stated in the quotes that they received from specialist firms. He added: “This procedure presented a serious danger to the health of employees and that will be hanging over their heads for the rest of their lives.”
The company pleaded guilty to six charges of breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and was fined £30,000 as well as paying £10,000 for the costs Norwich City Council incurred in bringing the action to court.
