The risk to employees of being exposed to asbestos fibres has been highlighted recently, after a company was issued with a significant fine following their employees and contractors being exposed to asbestos fibres.
SSE Hornsea Ltd, who manages a natural gas storage facility on the East Yorkshire Coast, were fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £12,670.72.
During the hearing, the Court heard that a team of mechanical maintenance personnel were given the task of removing a non-return valve from a compressed air distribution system. The team encountered difficulty, and when they removed the gasket fibres and dust spread around the maintenance workshop, onto floors, work benches and clothing.
After an employee had raised concerns, the dust was tested, and was found to contain asbestos fibres. The workshop was swiftly closed to employees and contractors.
Asbestos fibres can be released into the air when materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged.
If a person inhales asbestos fibres, it may lead to being diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, amongst other serious lung conditions such as asbestosis and pleural thickening.
In the UK during 2015, there were over 2,500 deaths from mesothelioma, and around 460 deaths relating to asbestosis.
The Court was told by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) that SSE Hornsea Ltd had failed to carry out a proper risk assessment for the task, and advise that there was asbestos in the gaskets. The records held on site were inadequate and workers had not been given the appropriate asbestos awareness training.
Following the hearing, a HSE Inspector had commented that:
Employers should ensure that they have in place adequate arrangements for both the identification and management of asbestos which may be found in buildings or process plant.
