Asbestos surveying company fined for inadequate survey

Last Updated on March 1, 2022 by

Property management & asbestos surveying company fined after failure to identify asbestos

Vital Property Solutions Limited, a property management company, and Home Inspectors Southern Limited, an asbestos surveying company, have both been fined following an investigation by the HSE.

They have been accused of carrying out an inadequate refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey on a major refurbishment project that included part demolition.

The asbestos survey they carried out failed to identify asbestos cement and asbestos insulating board.

During the full investigation by the HSE, they discovered that the surveyor who performed the survey actually had no training in asbestos surveying whatsoever!

Nor had he had any previous work experience within the industry.

He indicated on the asbestos survey that a non-licensed contractor could remove the large quantity of AIB material, which is incorrect advice.

Property management & asbestos surveying company fined after failure to identify asbestos - vital property solutions

Vital Property Solutions Limited did not check that the asbestos surveying company held all the correct credentials and required experience to carry out the refurbishment and demolition survey.

Dudley Magistrates Court fined Vital Property Solutions Ltd of High Wycombe £8,400 after they pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

They were also ordered to pay costs of £929.67.

The court fined Home Inspectors Southern Limited of Brighton £4,800 after they pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Again, they had to pay additional costs of £929.67.

Edward Fryer, HSE Inspector, said after the hearing, “Asbestos surveyors have a duty of care to those persons who use the information they provide. The survey missed a significant amount of asbestos contaminated materials (ACM’s) thus increasing the risk to workers, who would be disturbing the fabric of the buildings during the refurbishment/demolition project. The risk arises from workers unknowingly working on ACM, and not taking effective precautions to prevent exposure and spread of asbestos fibers. Where surveyors fall well short of the standard then HSE will take robust action.”


Did you find this article on asbestos surveying company fined for inadequate survey interesting?  Then check out our latest posts below.

Need help with an asbestos problem?  Whether you need an asbestos management survey, or a refurbishment/ demolition survey, contact us on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting https://www.armco.org.uk/

Finally, for all your asbestos training needs call 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/to book an asbestos awareness training course.

Latest News...
April 10, 2025Last Updated on April 10, 2025 by Phil Collins Asbestos awareness training remains critical for workplace safety in the UK. When you consider the widespread presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings constructed before 2000 you can see why. Even though it was banned in 1999, asbestos continues to pose serious health risks, with exposure […] [...] Read more...
March 27, 2025Last Updated on March 27, 2025 by Phil Collins In the North-West, construction safety standards are more stringent than ever before with numerous historic buildings across Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire requiring renovation. Understanding the dangers of asbestos is essential for anyone in the building trade. HSE requirements you can’t ignore The Health and Safety Executive […] [...] Read more...
January 23, 2025Last Updated on January 23, 2025 by Asbestos might seem like something from the past, but for construction professionals, it’s still a very real concern. Once hailed as a “miracle material” for its strength and fire resistance, asbestos is now infamous for the health risks it poses. Diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma have made asbestos […] [...] Read more...
July 11, 2024Last Updated on July 11, 2024 by Asbestosis is a serious health condition that has profound implications for those who have been exposed to asbestos. This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of asbestosis, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention. Understanding this disease is crucial, particularly for individuals working in environments where […] [...] Read more...
May 21, 2024Last Updated on June 11, 2024 by Asbestos, a naturally occurring group of minerals known for its fire-resistant properties, was once widely used in construction materials across the UK. However, due to the severe health risks associated with asbestos exposure, its use was banned in 1999. Yet, the legacy of asbestos remains, posing a potential […] [...] Read more...
March 14, 2024Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals, was once hailed for its versatility and used extensively in the construction industry for its fire-resistant and insulating properties. However, it has since been revealed that asbestos poses significant health risks, primarily causing lung diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma, a […] [...] Read more...

Published Jun 19, 2018