Asbestos Management

The owner of a refurbishment company has been fined after employees came into contact with asbestos.

Neil Brown was charged £350 after his north-east company High View Services failed to give its employees asbestos training, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Graham Watson, a HSE inspector, said: "Any employer who conducts work which may result in their employees coming into contact with asbestos must make sure they receive adequate information, instruction and training."

North Tyneside Magistrates Court heard that Mr Brown, 45, had breached Regulation 10(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. As a result, he was fined £360 and instructed to pay costs of £360.

In addition, the HSE estimated that deaths amongst UK males from mesothelioma will peak during this decade. In 2016, the number of fatalities from the illness will reach 2038.