GKN Aerospace Services Ltd. and Lybrook Constructors Ltd., trading as DL Group, have been prosecuted after construction workers were exposed to asbestos at GKN's premises in Yeovil.
DL Group was engaged by GKN Aerospace Services Ltd on 17 June 2010 to remove ceiling tiles within its treatment facilities room, which led to contractors being put at risk of exposure to asbestos.
In a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Yeovil Magistrates' Court heard on 28 June that GKN had done a basic survey prior to refurbishment work being carried out but ignored it.
HSE found that GKN placed an order for the works with DL Group, although it did not have the skills to carry out adequate assessments or hold a suitable license to work with or remove asbestos.
The court was told the company allowed its employees to begin the removal work without the necessary demolition and refurbishment survey being commissioned, compromising their safety and putting them at risk of being exposed to asbestos.
GKN Aerospace Services Ltd. of Ferry Road, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £5,885 in costs. Lybrook Constructors Ltd., trading as DL Group, of Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, admitted to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £3,400 and ordered to pay £5,885 in costs.