The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted three firms in Yorkshire for removing asbestos without a licence. After pleading guilty, the three firms were fined an average of more than £5,000 each with costs averaging more than £4,000. Two firms in Essex also recently faced fines and costs totalling more than £110,000 for the same offence.
The HSE has recently launched an ‘Asbestos – Hidden Killer’ campaign to highlight the dangers of asbestos, particularly in the building trade. It claims asbestos is Britain’s biggest workplace killer, causing more than 35,000 deaths annually.
For more information, see the HSE website’s asbestos information pages at
With a rising death toll from asbestos exposure, the HSE is taking a tough line on those who break the law regarding the treatment of asbestos. Failing to follow proper procedures to protect the health and safety of employees and others can lead to civil actions for damages as well as criminal prosecution.
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HSE Press releases, September/October 2009. See http://www.hse.gov.uk/PRESS/press.htm.