25 Apr 2022
The OHSS team is highly experienced in asbestos consultation, with our experts able to assist in matters relating to safe asbestos removal, as well as providing guidance on asbestos regulations and asbestos surveys. Our services are in high demand too, as the killer material is still as dangerous and widespread as ever.
Today, we bring you news relating to asbestos, to illustrate the fact that not everyone is on the same page, with regards to the threat it still poses. There are still qualified tradespeople in Ireland who are not following the right procedures and putting human life at risk as a result.
Fines Totalling £10,500
The news article in question relates to a Portadown-based company which was recently prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI). The recycling and spik hire company pleaded guilty to a total of 6 offences, relating to improper asbestos removal at a former factory premises located in Lurgan in County Armagh.
The case was brought to bear after a HSENI inspector witnessed workers throwing what he believed to be asbestos cement sheeting through an open window at the derelict factory. Large amounts of asbestos were also seen outside the building - which was later confirmed to contain asbestos fibres.
Gary Rowan, the HSENI inspector in question, had this to say “The failure of the company to clearly identify the presence and condition of asbestos before any removal work was a fundamental error. In this case, the absence of effective control measures placed workers at unnecessary risk from exposure to asbestos fibres”.
Safeguarding Irish Businesses From All Workplace Hazards
In an ideal world, contractors like these across the world would be fully aware of how to spot asbestos and take the correct action to safeguard lives. However, the world is not ideal and so the OHSS will continue to support Irish businesses with training and consultancy services against what still is the number one workplace killer.