A construction client has been fined for multiple safety failings including failing to remove asbestos from old buildings before the start of work.

Care provider Chesham Care, of St Catherine's Road, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, admitted multiple failures of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007.

The client was fined £35,000 and with over £1,300 in costs.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received a complaint in March 2014 by a member of the public concerning activities going on at a former hospital site in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

HSE Inspectors noted the former Chesham Community Hospital buildings had been partially demolished by a contractor.


However, when Chesham Care was contacted, it was discovered that asbestos containing materials (ACM's) had not been removed prior to demolition.

High Wycombe Magistrates' Court heard Chesham Care had failed to appoint a principal contractor/construction design and management (CDM) co-ordinator in writing, by law it had assumed the associated legal duties and roles.

In addition, HSE inspectors found the works had been going on for around 2-3 months and observed asbestos containing materials among demolished building debris, demolition arrangements not recorded in writing, the site not securely locked or with relevant warning signs and no welfare facilities present on site

HSE inspector Rauf Ahmed said: "Clients have a key role in safely directing construction project. Effective arrangements at the start can have an amplified positive impact down the various stages to completion. These include making informed appointments, such as designers, principal contractors/contractors using competent sources of health and safety assistance."

(LM)