UK: Retail store staff exposed to asbestos

Retail store staff exposed to asbestos

Devon, England, UK - Two companies have been fined a total of £140,000 following asbestos removal work at two Devon retail stores.

Retail chain Woolsworth was fined after it was revealed that the retailer made staff members at two stores clean up cancer-causing dust fibers without protection. The company was fined £40,000 for having its staff remove the asbestos with nothing but brushes and dustpans.

The asbestos was left behind by contractor, LCH Contract Ltd, which was hired to remove asbestos from the stores' ceiling tiles. According to reports, the stores' shelves and products were covered in white fibers. LCH was fined £100,000 for failing to follow safety guidelines in dealing with the dangerous material which is known to cause malignant mesothelioma.

The prosecution told the court that air samples taken three months later in both stores still showed the presence of asbestos.

An assistant manager for one of the stores testified before the judge that she was there while the asbestos removal work was being done and that the dust in the store was very visible. In addition, she said upper management required her to open the store to the public the next day for business.

The retailer told the court that it has offered its workers medical assistance and counseling since the incident.

It has been reported that LCH has lost over £5m in potential work due in light of the news and legal proceedings.

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