UK Contractor Fined For Asbestos Violations -- MesoLink.org -- 04-17-06

A contractor from the UK has been fined over 10,000 GBP after being found guilty of asbestos violations. The Environment Agency reported that the building contractors had been found guilty of hiring unlicensed workers to dispose of asbestos, which is a potentially carcinogenic substance with strict rules and regulations attached to its handling and removal.

It was further reported that the building contractor had already stopped using one firm because workers had refused to remove the waste due to the asbestos content. The contractor then hired other workers, and failed to inform them about the asbestos. It is further claimed that he failed to check that the workers were licensed to remove asbestos legally.

One Environment Officer stated: “Companies organizing the disposal of their waste have a responsibility to make sure they provide those clearing it with a full description so that they can send it to the correct site for storage, sorting and disposal.”

He added: "This case should send a clear message to all producers of waste to make sure they know how to safely manage their wastes and check that the companies they deal with are registered."