Firm fined over site strewn with asbestos

Some of the material containing asbestos on the site in Stretford

A company risked workers' lives by exposing them to an "uncontrolled spread" of asbestos, a court heard.

Stretford-based Eye Track Ltd was fined £20,000 after breaching work safety laws.

Director Selcuk Pinarbarsi admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and was given a 20-week suspended sentence.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said he was "fully aware" of the danger.

Manchester Crown Court heard he had commissioned a survey of the site.

'Profits over safety'

The HSE said it attended the firm's premises on Talbot Road in April 2019 after concerns were raised about people working unsafely at height.

It found the site scattered with materials containing asbestos, largely from insulating roof sheets.

The HSE said one of the demolished units contained 100 square metres of asbestos insulation board, some of which was demolished by hand.

An investigation revealed that the asbestos removal work was carried out under the direct control and instruction of Pinarbasi.

The survey he had commissioned had "identified in detail" the presence of asbestos on site.

The material, once common in construction, is now considered dangerous and can cause a type of cancer called mesothelioma, which often develops many years after exposure.

HSE inspector Phil Redman said: “Lives were deliberately put at risk as profits were prioritised over safety during the uncontrolled demolition and removal of asbestos containing materials.

“Eye Track Limited and its director showed a total disregard for the health, safety and welfare of workers working under their control.”

On top of the fines, Eye Track and Pinarbasi were each ordered to pay £18,783.61 in prosecution costs, while Pinarbasi was fined £75,000.