Firms warned over asbestos risks
The affects of Asbestos are well known among businesses. The dust which can lead to severe cancers in the respiratory system have lead to millions being paid out to the people who have suffered from relating conditions as well as to families who have lost loved ones.
The warnings of asbestos are being extended to public liability insurance holders. A recent fire at a Welsh leisure centre complex made these warnings loud and clear.
The organisation in Aberafan, was badly damaged by a fire in December 2009, and initial investigations show that previously sealed asbestos in the building has now being exposed.
Steve Phillips, the chief executive of Neath Port Talbot council, said that the swimming pool had been very badly damaged and the concrete structural frame had also been affected.
He went on to say that: "All the pool features, ceiling and fixtures have been destroyed. Previously sealed asbestos has been exposed in the pool area and the fire debris appears contaminated."
Dangerous fires increasing asbestos risks
Mr Phillips also commented that further structural assessments will take place in the New Year, when the council will have more technical information available.
Last month, it was reported that a large barn fire in Bedfordshire helped to release dangerous asbestos after it had caught light following a fuel leak.
However incidents such as fires are not the only way the deadly substance can be released. Companies who have public liability insurance are also being warned about how asbestos can be disposed of by rouge traders.
In Sutton it was reported that asbestos had been dumped twice in the area in December last year; the first involved a large white rubble sack full of the cement-bonded, cancer-related material. A transit tipper lorry with a white cab and blue body was seen leaving the scene on December 4th.
In a second incident a trailer containing sheets of asbestos was left close to shops in on December 8th.
Councillor Colin Hall, Sutton Council's executive member for environment, said that the council believed that these offenders may be professional builders, waste clearers or roofers who should know better.
He added: "Asbestos is a hazardous waste material and should not be left lying around polluting our streets."
As a result, companies are being warned of the dangers of Asbestos.
Company fined after illegal disposal of asbestos
A Plymouth firm was charged with breaching Regulations of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. It was fined a total of £5,500 and ordered to pay costs of just over £8,000.
Bodmin magistrates court heard how the compnay was carrying out renovation work at the former Shark Fin Hotel in Cornwall between 2005 and 2006, when asbestos was disturbed.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was told in confidence that the material was not being removed in the appropriate ways, including the illegal disposal of it alongside general waste.
Martin Lee, a HSE inspector, said that the dangers of exposure to asbestos cannot be underestimated.
He added that the HSE wants public liability insurance holders to change the way that their employees work so that they do not put their lives at risk when working with asbestos.
The recent 'hidden killer' campaign has also been warning contractors about the dangers of working with asbestos, including how best to protect themselves against it and what they should do if they discover the material.
In December 2009 the HSE encouraged companies to make a New Year's resolution to improve their safety records in 2010 especially in areas relating to asbestos.
Updated on 1/5/2010