Leeds firm fined £15,000 for 'cavalier' approach to asbestos handling

Leeds-based firm Richmond Homes (Yorkshire) Limited was fined £15,000 yesterday for the unsafe handling of asbestos. Company director Arran Michael Import was fined £2,000.

Both company and director pleaded guilty to the charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at Dewsbury Magistrates Court and were also ordered to pay costs, of £20,000 and £2,000 respectively.

Despite knowing that asbestos was present on a site in Batley, the company had directed sub-contractors to proceed with demolition work. The building was then set on fire, and Mr Import had subsequently ordered staff to remove the asbestos without ensuring protective measures were taken.

HSE Inspector Justine Lee said: “In this instance the company’s cavalier approach to asbestos handling regulations, endorsed by its director, put at risk not only its own workers, but also others working on the site after the fire, including the emergency services.”

Charges were brought under both Sections 2 (1) (which relates to duty of care to employees) and 3 (1) (relating to the duty of care to others) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.