Ship firm fined over asbestos exposure

Marine reclamation company Acetech Construction Ltd was prosecuted after work to dismantle a former Polish fishing vessel, the The Patricia III.

The company, of New Green Farm, Marsh Lane, Barrow Haven, bought the vessel, which was built in the 1970s, for dismantling and selling on as scrap in 2007.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Acetech had not carried out an adequate survey that would have highlighted the presence of asbestos-containing materials before work began.

Scunthorpe magistrates heard that between December 1, 2007 and February 29, 2008, several employees were potentially-exposed to asbestos-containing materials.

The firm was fined 3,400 and ordered to pay 5,000 costs after pleading guilty to three breaches of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

Speaking afterwards, HSE inspector Kirsty Welsh said: "Asbestos is responsible for around 4,000 deaths each year so it's vitally important that workers are protected.

"You might not know what damage has been caused by exposure, or the numbers of people who may have been affected, until much later, if at all, but identifying dangerous materials and removing them safely and responsibly is essential in order to eliminate all possible risk.

"Had Acetech Construction carried out a full survey, assessed the risks and put in place systems to protect their workers, then any potential harm would have been avoided."

No one from the company was yesterday available for comment.