Manufacturer Disregards Asbestos Abatement and Endangers Workers
A furniture manufacturing company located in Newcastle, England was found guilty of
failing to remove dangerous asbestos from their factory. The company, Godfrey-Syrett Limited,
knowing exposed their workers to these asbestos.
Godfrey-Syrett Limited received an examination in 2003 regarding asbestos
contamination in their factories. They refused to take any kind of action for 14 years, allowing
their workers to work in these dangerous conditions. The examination revealed the presence of
asbestos containing materials. Not only did Godfrey-Syrett Limited fail to remove the asbestos
containing materials, they did not do the bare minimum of attempting to lessen exposure to
the workers.
This raised concern for one of the workers, so he reached out to the Health and Safety
Executive. The HSE is a branch of the United government that deals with work-related
endangerment, health, and safety. The Health and Safety Executive immediately got to work to
fix this major issue. They came to the conclusion that Godfrey-Syrett Limited had not taken the
precautions necessary to protect their workers. The asbestos was not removed and workers
were not told where the asbestos were located as to not disturb it and risk inhalation.
After the HSE made this known in court, Godfrey-Syrett Limited was found guilty of
breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and regulation 4(8) of the
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The district judge also ruled the company would have to
pay £800,000 in fines.
However, due to their administrative position, the fine will be reduced to £1. Due to this
injustice, the Health and Safety Executive branch will be keeping tabs on Godfrey-Syrett Limited.
A furniture manufacturing company located in Newcastle, England was found guilty of
failing to remove dangerous asbestos from their factory. The company, Godfrey-Syrett Limited,
knowing exposed their workers to these asbestos.
Godfrey-Syrett Limited received an examination in 2003 regarding asbestos
contamination in their factories. They refused to take any kind of action for 14 years, allowing
their workers to work in these dangerous conditions. The examination revealed the presence of
asbestos containing materials. Not only did Godfrey-Syrett Limited fail to remove the asbestos
containing materials, they did not do the bare minimum of attempting to lessen exposure to
the workers.
This raised concern for one of the workers, so he reached out to the Health and Safety
Executive. The HSE is a branch of the United government that deals with work-related
endangerment, health, and safety. The Health and Safety Executive immediately got to work to
fix this major issue. They came to the conclusion that Godfrey-Syrett Limited had not taken the
precautions necessary to protect their workers. The asbestos was not removed and workers
were not told where the asbestos were located as to not disturb it and risk inhalation.
After the HSE made this known in court, Godfrey-Syrett Limited was found guilty of
breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and regulation 4(8) of the
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The district judge also ruled the company would have to
pay £800,000 in fines.
However, due to their administrative position, the fine will be reduced to £1. Due to this
injustice, the Health and Safety Executive branch will be keeping tabs on Godfrey-Syrett Limited.
