Asbestos Management

A Birmingham-based university has been fined, along with a security systems firm, after two workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos fibres while fitting CCTV cameras. The worker and a 17-year-old trainee were installing the cameras in the reception area at Aston University's Recreation Centre in July 2009 when they drilled into material containing asbestos fibres.

Both the university and Warwickshire-based Access Fire and Security Ltd - the contractor carrying out the work - were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident. Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard the university failed to follow its own procedures on managing, planning and preparing for the installation and the arrangements were unclear and not widely known within the university.

Aston University, of Aston Triangle, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to breaching Control of Asbestos Regulations and was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs. Access Fire and Security Ltd, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations and was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.