‘UNSAFE’ construction work carried out without an appropriate licence at a Cam infant school has landed a firm a fine of almost £30,000 at court.

Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court heard that asbestos was removed in an unsafe manner from Cam Woodfield infant school by a firm which did not have a licence to do so.

R F Gardiner Ltd, based in Chalford near Stroud, pleaded guilty to breaching regulations which saw operatives exposed to high levels of airborne asbestos fibres.

Work took place in October 2016 and included the removal of asbestos but an investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that no water suppression was used to protect workers who had also not been face-fit tested for face masks they were using.

It was also found that asbestos fibres were spread to the surrounding area as no enclosure had been set up under negative pressure to contain them and that workers had no way of decontaminating at the site after work had been finished.

HSE’s investigation found that poor planning of the work which was being carried out at the school at the time meant that unsafe and unlicensed asbestos removal work was undertaken.

R F Gardiner Limited of Cirencester Road, Chalford, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 8(1), 11(1) and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and was fined £28,000 and ordered to pay court costs of £1,141.80.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector James Lucas said: “The company in this case should have ensured appropriate measures were identified during the planning process to include the engagement of a licensed asbestos contractor to carry out correct control measures and safe working practices for the removal of the asbestos.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards”.