An estate management director from Brighton has been fined after failing to manage the spread of asbestos whilst demolishing a building.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosectuted Brian Marshall, the director of Supply and Demand Ltd. for breaching asbestos safety regulations after it was found that he failed to have a survey carried out before instructing a worker to demolish the building. As a result, asbestos containing materials were disturbed.
Swain & Co.’s personal injury solicitors are pleased to see that the director has been prosecuted for his failure in his duty to protect his staff and the environment from asbestos exposure. With so much campaigning over recent years about the damage that asbestos can cause to people, leading to mesothelioma and death, we are shocked that this director would disregard his duty to manage asbestos so freely.
The HSE investigation found that Mr Marshall was made aware of his duty by Lewes District Council in September 2008 and even obtained a quote in February 2011 for an asbestos refurbishment survey on another nearby project. Yet he failed to do the same in May last year on the demolition of the building in question.
Our personal injury lawyers go on to say that asbestos can be difficult to spot unless you are trained and competent to do so, therefore an assessment to establish if asbestos is present must be carried out before any dismantling of a building occurs.
Up to 4,000 people die each year from asbestos related diseases and we are pleased to see that the HSE will not tolerate a director, who knew better, flout the law.
If you or a family member has been affected by asbestos exposure or other industrial diseases then Swain & Co.’s personal injury solicitors are here to help.
We have substantial experience of bringing personal injury compensation claims against employers where staff have been exposed to asbestos, or been injured as a result of employer neglect or breaches of health and safety.
We can act on a no win no fee basis, offer free initial advice and have a free phone number. So call us today on 0800 0351 999
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Asbestos ruling welcomed by Swain & Co.
