Council fined over asbestos exposure

Breathing in asbestos can lead to chest problems

A council has been fined £20,000 after three schoolchildren were exposed to asbestos dust.

North East Lincolnshire Council pleaded guilty to two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act, including failing to protect children and employees.

The Health and Safety Executive case was brought after three pupils found asbestos ceiling tiles in the boiler room at Humberston School while on litter picking duty.

Grimsby Magistrates' Court heard that the 14-year-olds were exposed to the dust for about an hour as they worked to clear out the room on 13 December 2001.

After the hearing on Friday, the authority released a statement which said the decision to send pupils in to clear the tiles was made by the school's previous headteacher and not the council.

It was a tragic incident in the first place and quite clearly it should not have happened Barry Clinch, Health and Safety Executive

It said: "The council has always had in place, for all schools in North East Lincolnshire, Health and Safety policies, including a policy on the management of asbestos.

"This case highlights that the council must have in place robust mechanisms to ensure that these policies are followed.

"All schools are now full aware of their responsibilities and are co-operating with the council to ensure that such an incident will not be repeated."

The Health and Safety Executive said it was important the council had learned lessons from the incident.

Spokesman Barry Clinch said: "We are satisfied with the penalty which has been imposed.

"We are also very pleased that the council have taken steps since to put matters right.

"It was a tragic incident in the first place and quite clearly it should not have happened."