HEALTH and Safety chiefs have warned firms to properly assess risks when working with asbestos and ensure, if necessary, only licensed contractors are used. The call follows the prosecution of Westpoint Schoolcare Ltd for breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations.

The firm from Gorton, Manchester, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £515 costs after admitting failing to properly assess whether asbestos was present before starting refurbishment work at a Manchester school. The company also failed to take steps to prevent its employees being exposed to asbestos dust and undertook work without a licence.

The company was appointed to complete refurbishment work at Manley Park Junior School in Whalley Range, including updating the toilets. The school identified that the ceiling tiles contained up to 50% brown asbestos but the company did not act on this information and failed to tell its employees about the asbestos or how to work without disturbing the ceiling tiles.

The ceiling was removed despite Westpoint Schoolcare Ltd not holding a licence to do such work and without taking the necessary precautions.

Inspector Thomas Merry said: "They had ample opportunity to ensure the ceiling was not disturbed, and arrange for a competent licensed contractor to remove the asbestos in a safe, controlled manner. Unfortunately this was not done and an employee was needlessly exposed to asbestos fibres."

Asbestos still presents a risk to workers involved in refurbishment and minor construction as it may be present in any building constructed or refurbished before 2000. It is estimated around 500,000 non-domestic buildings could contain asbestos and all need repairs from time to time but when asbestos fibres are disturbed, by drilling or cutting, they are likely to be inhaled as a deadly dust.

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