Company prosecuted for failing to comply with regulations

10 Dec 2009

A Cradley company has been convicted of breaching health and safety regulations after failing to follow proper procedures for removing asbestos.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted PW Mills (Cradley) Ltd of Bassett Road, Halesowen over the failings. The company pleaded guilty earlier this year at Walsall Magistrates Court to two counts of breaching regulation 9(1) and one count of breaching regulation 17(b) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. PW Mills (Cradley) Ltd also admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The manager of the company at the time, Roy Anthony Halden of Hillary Crest, Rugeley, Staffordshire pleaded guilty to one count of breaching Section 36(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at the Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday 7 December 2009.

The court heard that the company removed asbestos from industrial units in Crescent Works Industrial Park, Darlaston in December 2007 and January 2008, but did not notify HSE of the work which is required by law. Asbestos debris was left in the work area, and the firm sent another team to clean up the site the following month, again without notifying HSE.