Wolverhampton hotel owner fined for breaching asbestos regulations

A WOLVERHAMPTON hotel has been fined thousands of pounds for exposing staff to dangerous levels of asbestos.

Focus Hotels Management, which operates Mercure Goldthorn Hotel in Penn Road, was prosecuted following an investigation by Wolverhampton City Council Environmental Health team.

Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court heard how officers came across the asbestos during an inspection in October 2012 and immediately prohibited the boiler house in the hotel.

Over the years many hotel staff had entered the boiler house and spent varying amounts of time there. The asbestos insulation was found to be in very poor condition, some of it had been worn away by years of passing clothing.

The company, based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 to failing to make an assessment of asbestos containing materials and to exposing employees to this dangerous carcinogen.

It was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £2,055 in costs.

Andy Jervis, Wolverhampton City Council’s Head of Regulatory Services, said: “We are pleased that the courts have recognised the seriousness of this case.

“Being exposed to asbestos puts lives at risks and it is imperative that all employers ensure that their staff are not exposed to such danger.

“We will not hesitate to take action should this duty of care be breached.”