Asbestos fine no deterrent says inspector

Published on Friday 23 January 2009 08:58

A HEALTH and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector has said he is "devastated" that a heating firm responsible for an asbestos scare was only fined £8000.

Jim Skilling said the penalty given to Lothian Heating Services (LHS) after it exposed three workers to the deadly substance was "no deterrent at all".

LHS failed to spot the deadly substance at St Teresa's RC Church in Edinburgh, before sending Craig Cumming, Stephen Smith and John Thomson to replace a decrepit heating system in May 2007.

The firm was fined 8000 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday after admitting a breach of health and safety at work laws.

The three men worked for five days surrounded by the material, responsible for 4000 deaths per year, with no protection.

Despite a survey indicating the presence of the material, LHS never asked the owners of the building if there was any danger and did not request a copy of the report, while the priest in charge of the church failed to mention the risk until asked.

Representing LHS, Gavin Anderson said the company had quickly moved to stop work and alert the HSE once it was notified of the presence of asbestos.

He said the three men affected continued to work for LHS.

Sheriff Kenneth MacIver said missing the asbestos during the pre-work site visit had been a "significant mistake".