St Austell Brewery fined over pub asbestos failures
The workers at the Three Crowns pub in Chagford, Dartmoor, in January 2010, were also asked by their site manager to remove the abestos without adequate protection. Exeter Magistrates heard that the work took place without a suitable asbestos survey report which should have been provided by St Austell.
In a statement, St Austell said it "deeply regretted" the incident.
The refurbishment was being carried out for St Austell by Cowley’s Building and Maintenance and its director, Christopher Reed. The court fined Cowley’s Building and Maintenance £12,500 with £6,295 costs, and Reed was fined £2,500 with costs of £2,000. The prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Barry Trudgian said: “Multiple failures on site led to significant risks of exposure to asbestos dust to the four workmen. Asbestos dust can cause fatal lung diseases and the dangers are well known in the industry. On average, 20 tradesmen die every week from asbestos related diseases.
“As the owners of the site, St Austell Brewery should have provided a full and thorough assessment of the possible presence of asbestos at the Three Crowns."
St Austell pointed out it pleaded guilty to the charge. "This is the first conviction ever upheld against St Austell Brewery and the directors and management deeply regret that this charge had cause to be made," it added.
