Asbestos disturbance: charitable trust and contractor fined

Asbestos failings: charitable trust and contractor fined

Health and Safety Executive v The Williamson Trust and Mark Tucker (2016) Chatham magistrates’ court, January 6

The Williamson Trust and Mark Tucker have been fined after disturbing asbestos and continuing to work in a building.

Significant points of the case

• The Williamson Trust operates a school academy. It contracted Mark Tucker to refurbish a block at the academy.

• In July 2012 Tucker carried out the work, knowing that the Trust had an asbestos register identifying the location of asbestos.

• The Trust failed to complete a refurbishment and demolition survey. The asbestos register was not checked as required by law.

The Williamson Trust was fined £18,000 plus £17,000 costs for a breach of section 3, HSW Act, for failing to ensure the health and safety of non-employees.

Mark Tucker was fined £9000 plus £8000 costs under regulation 13, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.