A £4,500 fine has been issued to Cornish development company, Norwegian Homes as a result of failing to conduct a survey for the presence of fatal asbestos fibres. In July 2006 they were converting Cellar Cover Hotel in Droskyn Point, into guesthouses and holiday apartments.

Health and Safety Executives (HSE) made a sit visit to find suspected asbestos insulation boards, beneath a caravan, inside polythene sacks and even in the ashes of a bonfire. The Health and Safety Laboratory then confirmed it to be asbestos.

At Truro Magistrates Court it was revealed that Norwegian Homes Ltd had no measures in place to remove the asbestos-containing material efficiently and, in addition the on site staff were not provided with protection.

They then pleaded guilty on 26 May 2010 for the breach of Regulation 15 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. Additionally they incurred costs reaching just under £12000.

Martin Lee (HSE inspector) quoted:

“Asbestos is extremely harmful to human health and is the most serious occupational health issue in the country. More than 4,000 people die every year from asbestos-related diseases.

Norwegian Homes should have carried out a survey for the presence and quantity of asbestos in the building, prior to demolition.

This incident was entirely preventable and the clean-up costs far outstripped the costs of a survey and safe removal of the asbestos material.”