Edinburgh Council has been fined £14,000 for putting 14 of its workers at risk of exposure to asbestos.  The council’s joiners were carrying out refurbishment work at Castlebrae Community High School, when one of the laboratory doors they were instructed to remove, started leaking white dust.  The council did not have clear procedures in place for informing workers that the substance was in the building and they failed to keep accurate records of the location and condition of the asbestos. The council was found guilty of breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

This is not the first time the council has had to pay out over work carried out at the school. Back in February this year, they were fined £17,000 after unqualified workmen were sent in to remove toxic material.

Over the next year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) plans to double inspections of licensed asbestos removal contractors and is appointing more fixed term inspectors as part of their new asbestos Hidden Killer campaign. We would like to remind you that under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 all contractors removing asbestos must be licensed by the HSE.  All new licence holders and contractors renewing their licenses are likely to be checked by the HSE. You have been warned!