Asbestos Breach Spreads Fibres to Home, Contents and Neighbour

A LANDLORD and building contractor have been fined after large quantities of asbestos fibres were released from the demolition of a conservatory at a rented property.

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard how the landlord commissioned a building contractor to replace a conservatory containing asbestos panels at a property in Selly Oak, Birmingham between Friday 18 August and Tuesday 29 August 2017.

Asbestos was spread as the panels were removed in a haphazard way.

Asbestos Fibres

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the landlord should have had an asbestos survey carried out prior to the work, and the building contractor should not have started work without one. The HSE investigation revealed that the building contractor took no precautions causing asbestos to spread to the home, contents and next door.

Wah Kei Dany Ng pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and has been fined £1,200, with costs of £607.21.

Jasvir Singh Sangha pleaded guilty to breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and has been sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work with costs of £596.61.

HSE Inspector Gareth Langston said: “Asbestos surveys need to be carried out prior to any construction work which disturbs the fabric of a structure.”

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