HSE warns surveyors over asbestos

Published on Mon 26 May 2008

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a reminder to the building trade that failure to carry out checks and surveys for asbestos in property refurbishments is unacceptable.

This warning follows the successful prosecution by HSE of a building surveyor who failed to meet his legal duties and carry out an asbestos survey during a refurbishment.

Raymond Joseph Boyle of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, was convicted of a breach of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 by undertaking demolition work that exposed people to asbestos. He was fined £4,000 in total and ordered to pay costs of £4016 at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Karl Raw said:

"This successful prosecution is a timely reminder that even with simple refurbishments there are legal duties needed to protect workers and others from the threat of asbestos. As a building surveyor with many years experience Mr Boyle should have been aware of his duty to manage the asbestos risk in a non-domestic property."