Bristol firm fined for asbestos rules breach

A Bristol company has been fined £18,000 for failing to protect seven workers from exposure to asbestos.

The construction staff at Frank Bruce and Co were exposed to the substance in February and March 2009 in Bristol, the city's magistrates court was told.

The company, of St George, admitted failings in relation to refurbishment work at Lawrence Hill Industrial Park.

Speaking after the case, the Health and Safety Executive said licensed workers should have removed the asbestos.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Sue Adsett said: "The decision not to have large quantities of asbestos insulation board removed by licensed contractors before the general refurbishment work began put the workers at risk and contaminated the site.

"The work was stopped and the defendant paid to make the site safe, but this doesn't change the fact that seven construction workers were exposed to asbestos, which we know can cause fatal diseases."

The firm pleaded guilty to breaches of construction regulations and control of asbestos regulations.