A local restaurant owner has been fined after asbestos was disturbed during the conversion of rooms above the restaurant into flats, in Essex.
Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard that during September 2016, above Marco Polo restaurant on Lower Southend Road, Wickford, asbestos insulation board (AIB) was removed and broken up, which resulted in workers being exposed to asbestos fibres.
An asbestos survey was only carried out after the asbestos had been disturbed.
An investigation was launched by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), which found that a management asbestos survey and a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey had not been completed prior to the work starting, and the work had not been completed by a licensed asbestos contractor.
Faruk Kamali of Lower Southend Road, Wickford, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and was fined £3,000, and ordered to pay full costs of £6,293.
David King (HSE inspector) commented after the hearing, and said ”Those in control of works have a responsibility to manage the risks from asbestos in non-domestic premises. To achieve this the dutyholder must ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out as to whether asbestos is or is liable to be present in the premises.”
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