Specialists to be called in to take action!

Asbestos has been found in parts of Grove House, the headquarters of Dunstable Town Council. The asbestos was discovered during a special survey of the listed building, commissioned by the council team.

Now asbestos removal contractors are to be called in to deal with the material. Investigations into damaged pipework led to questions being raised about whether asbestos was in the building. The council team commissioned the survey to find out whether asbestos was present, and if so, where.

In a report to town councillors, town clerk David Ashlee said: ‘Throughout this process, staff and tenants have been kept aware of asbestos findings, and the building has remained safe to be still occupied.’ Mr Ashlee said all necessary precautions had been taken. And he added: ‘Now that we know it is there, we need to either isolate it or remove it.’

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A surveyor has been fined for failing to carry-out asbestos inspection work on a refurbishment job in Birmingham.

Raymond Joseph Boyle of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, was convicted of a breach of The Control of Asbestos Regulations after undertaking demolition work that exposed people to asbestos.

He was fined 4,000 in total and ordered to pay costs of 4,016 at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

HSE inspector Karl Raw said: This successful prosecution is a timely reminder that even with simple refurbishments there are legal duties needed to protect workers and others from the threat of asbestos.

“As a building surveyor with many years experience Mr Boyle should have been aware of his duty to manage the asbestos risk in a non-domestic property.

Worried about Asbestos? Why not book a free survey now?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reminds the building trade that failure to carry out checks and surveys for asbestos in property refurbishments is unacceptable.

This warning follows the successful prosecution by HSE of a building surveyor who failed to meet his legal duties and carry out an asbestos survey during a refurbishment at 92-95 Livery Street, Birmingham.

Raymond Joseph Boyle of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, was convicted of a breach of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 by undertaking demolition work that exposed people to asbestos. He was fined 4,000 in total and ordered to pay costs of 4016 at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Karl Raw said: “This successful prosecution is a timely reminder that even with simple refurbishments there are legal duties needed to protect workers and others from the threat of asbestos. As a building surveyor with many years experience Mr Boyle should have been aware of his duty to manage the asbestos risk in a non-domestic property.”

HSE information and press releases can be accessed on the Internet: http://www.hse.gov.uk/

Worried about Asbestos? Why not book a free survey now?