A building contractor from South East London is fined for running a construction site exposing workers to asbestos-containing materials, according to a report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Fadil Adil, of Coniston Road, Bromley, was prosecuted by HSE for the way work was carried out on a construction site he was in charge of on Bromley High Street.
The HSE investigation found the defendant without a license to work with asbestos, nor was he trained in construction management. At no point did the defendant carry out an asbestos survey, nor did he provide any guidance to the workmen regarding the presence of asbestos. HSE Inspector Ian Seabrook noted, "Sadly, this kind of incident is all too familiar because the defendant's actions meant that his colleagues were more than likely exposed to asbestos fibers. The dangers of asbestos are well known; it is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK with around 1,000 tradesmen dying each year from asbestos-related diseases.
"Anyone working with these sorts of materials has to commission an asbestos survey to ascertain the level of work needed and then have asbestos removed in a controlled manner by a licensed contractor."
At the City of London Magistrates' Court, Adil pleaded guilty to breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. He was fined £19,300 ($30,000) and ordered to pay costs of £7,654 ($12,000).
