A Glasgow based building contractor has been fined after an employee used a power saw to cut through a kitchen cupboard door, accidentally releasing asbestos materials.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that between November and December 2015, City Building (Glasgow) LLP was carrying out refurbishment work at a flat in Glasgow. An employee who was unaware of the presence of asbestos fibres within a kitchen cupboard door cut through the door and disturbed the asbestos fibres.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that following receipt of an Asbestos Refurbishment Survey for the kitchen, City Building (Glasgow) LLP failed to realise that the door had not been surveyed.

City Building (Glasgow) LLP, Darnick Street, Glasgow pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £4,000.

After the hearing HSE principal inspector, Graeme McMinn, said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. When getting an asbestos survey carried out, it is important to ensure that all of the planned work areas have been surveyed. The HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

By Patrick Mooney, editor