Firm fined for burning asbestos debris
September 23, 2008
A construction firm has received a £10,000 fine after burning waste which contained asbestos near Newmarket.
The company was disposing of material left after the demolition of a building which also contained a gas cylinder and plastics.
Cal Max Construction pleaded guilty to attempting to burn ten tonnes of material without a waste management license.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency's investigating officer Jamie Hepburn describes the fire's creation of "noxious fumes".
He adds it is possible those nearby may have inhaled dangerous material from the burning debris.
"The activities… have undoubtedly resulted in the discharge of atmospheric pollutants and there are areas of ground on the site which may now be contaminated," he states.
According to the Press and Journal, the company and its directors faced seven pollution charges but a number of these were dropped and the business pleaded guilty to the two brought against it.
Earlier in the month, the Health and Safety Executive held a workshop near Stoke-on-Trent which involved raising construction workers' awareness of the risks presented by asbestos.
The company was disposing of material left after the demolition of a building which also contained a gas cylinder and plastics.
Cal Max Construction pleaded guilty to attempting to burn ten tonnes of material without a waste management license.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency's investigating officer Jamie Hepburn describes the fire's creation of "noxious fumes".
He adds it is possible those nearby may have inhaled dangerous material from the burning debris.
"The activities… have undoubtedly resulted in the discharge of atmospheric pollutants and there are areas of ground on the site which may now be contaminated," he states.
According to the Press and Journal, the company and its directors faced seven pollution charges but a number of these were dropped and the business pleaded guilty to the two brought against it.
Earlier in the month, the Health and Safety Executive held a workshop near Stoke-on-Trent which involved raising construction workers' awareness of the risks presented by asbestos.
More Asbestos news:
Council sued over exposure to asbestos at school - January 5, 2009Selfridges 'put workers at risk' - December 23, 2008
HSE and Homebase raise asbestos awareness - December 19, 2008
Firm fined GBP 253,000 after asbestos death - December 18, 2008
Asbestos 'blamed for man's death' - December 18, 2008
