Surveyors' failure to spot asbestos puts construction workers at risk

Construction workers were put at risk from asbestos after a specialist surveying company failed to spot the potentially deadly material at two schools in Wales.

Contractors moved-in to carry out refurbishment work on the Cardinal Newman Comprehensive School in Pontypridd, and Aberdare Boys School in Aberdare after both buildings were given the all-clear by Normandie Analytical Services

The surveyors had failed to spot asbestos insulation boards which were disturbed by the construction team putting site workers in danger.

The company has pleaded guilty to two safety charges and was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay £21,000 costs by Llwynypia Magistrates Court.

HSE inspector Steve Lewis said: "This case demonstrates a repeated failure by this company to carry out systematic and comprehensive checks for asbestos.

"While asbestos is the greatest single cause of work related deaths in the UK, it is present in many public buildings, and poses no threat whatsoever when it remains in a sealed or undisturbed state.

"In this case the company clearly did not have appropriate quality control checks in place, which resulted in the material being disturbed."