Llandudno builder jailed for exposing workers to asbestos

A builder has been jailed for exposing workers to asbestos while working at a commercial unit on a Colwyn Bay industrial estate.

Brian Roberts of 123 Bryniau Road, Llandudno and three men working with him, were exposed to potentially deadly asbestos fibres while working in the unit at Eagle Farm Road, Mochdre Business Park around 11 September 2012.

Llandudno Magistrates’ Court heard today (12 June) how Roberts, who had been employed by the owner of the premises trading at the time, as Light in Design to remove asbestos from the building prior to sale. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was alerted to the unlicensed work by a contractor who was licensed to remove asbestos.

HSE’s investigation found that Roberts removed a significant quantity of asbestos insulating board (AIB) from the premises despite not holding a licence to work with such material.

Brian Roberts pleaded guilty to breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and was given a custodial sentence of 26 weeks.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Chris Wilcox said: “The safe removal of asbestos requires a high level of skill and technical knowledge and must be done by a contractor licenced by HSE.”

“Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. There are specific rules in place to make sure it is dealt with safely and contractors have a duty to ensure they protect their workers from risk of exposure.

“By undertaking the uncontrolled removal of asbestos, work for which he was not licensed, Brian Roberts exposed himself and his co-workers to the risk of inhaling asbestos fibres. 

“The outcome of this exposure cannot easily be assessed but there remains the possibility of ill health in the future. The workers could also have posed a health risk to others, including, for example, their families and loved ones, by taking home contaminated clothing.

“Those involved now have to live with the fear of becoming ill with this life-threatening lung disease.” 

Information and advice about working safely with asbestos can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos 

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. hse.gov.uk
2. Regulation 8 (1) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 states: “An employer must hold a licence before undertaking any licensable work with asbestos.”
3. Further HSE news releases are available at hse.gov.uk/press

 

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