Major High Street Chain Fined Over Asbestos Exposure

Marks & Spencer, one of Britain’s most trusted store chains has been fined £1m as a result of placing its customers, staff and public at potential risk from exposure to asbestos. M&S stores in Reading and Bournemouth were being refurbished in 2006 and 2007 and failed to put in place health and safety measures to minimise risk of exposure to Asbestos, according to court records.

Today’s BBC News on-line website reported the results of the court case, and reported that ‘Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC said the company was more interested in profits than planning asbestos removal.’

Their news article continues:

‘The Marks & Spencer shop in Broad Street, Reading, was being refurbished when ceiling tiles containing the cancer-causing material fell to the floor.

"The response from Marks & Spencer was, in effect, to turn a blind eye to what was happening... it was already costing the company too much money," the judge told Bournemouth Crown Court. He said the "tension" between health and safety and profit had caused the "lamentable problems" which had led to ceiling dust possibly containing asbestos falling to the shop floor when it was open.

Marks & Spencer was convicted of two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 of failing to ensure the health and safety of its staff and others at the Reading store in July.’

In court it was stated that Marks & Spencer guidance on asbestos removal was not fully followed by the contractors. It was also stated that the company had a "duty of care" to ensure the work was carried out safely.

The full news item can be read by clicking on the pic above.

Source: BBC News

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