Bury: Window replacement firm to pay out 35,000 after exposing workers to asbestos

Bury Magistrates' Court imposed fines of 24,000 on Frames Conservatories Direct Ltd

Matthew Symington Saturday, February 15, 2014 9:09 AM

A window replacement company from Bury St Edmunds will have to pay out nearly 35,000 after it exposed workers to potentially fatal asbestos.

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Workers at Frames Conservatories Direct Ltd (FCDL) were replacing window units at Westley Middle School over the summer of 2012. The company told the school that asbestos panels would be removed by registered contractors and disposed of in the correct way.

However Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court was told the company was not licensed to work with asbestos and employees undertaking the work werent told they would be handling the substance. No control measures were used to prevent the spread of fibres.

The health and safety breach also meant the school had to pay over 110,000 in cleaning and replacing contaminated items.

The matter was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after being alerted by the schools headteacher as well as employees at FCDL.

Concerns were first raised when other contractors noticed suspect material in a floor void and consulted a licensed asbestos contractor who then visited the school. The contractor saw window panels being removed and notified FCDL employees that they were handling materials likely to contain asbestos. The work was immediately stopped and the area sealed off.

A licensed contractor undertook a programme of cleaning under strictly controlled conditions in all affected areas of the school. Once completed, air tests were carried out and the areas certified safe for re-occupation.

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Bury: Window replacement firm to pay out 35,000 after exposing workers to asbestos