News Tonight

There is no denial that asbestos has life threatening risks attached with it and that is why the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has fined a leading university heavily. It was being told that despite being warned so many times, the Lincoln University didn’t pay heed to the concerns raised about the presence of asbestos in the campus.

The case caught the attention of one and all after it was told that after a female member of staff broke a door lock, it was found that door had asbestos insulating board (AIB). Post an investigation by the HSE, it was confirmed that there is significant presence of asbestos material as well as asbestos debris. There were two significant report of violation to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, and taking serious account of the same, it was told that Lincoln University Higher Education Corporation, of Brayford Pool, in Lincoln, was sent orders to pay fine as high as £10,000 along with court costs totaling £12,759.

The most shocking part is that despite having an asbestos management plan in place, the university didn’t take the required measures. If reports are to be believed, nearly 4,000 people have died due to the exposure of asbestos every year in the UK. There are rising cases of mesothelioma in recent times. Even a paltry exposure to asbestos could prove out to be fatal.

As soon as the report struck the university, there was a confirmed report that two members of the estate's management team tabled their resignation.

"The university had an asbestos management plan but had failed to follow it and failed to take appropriate steps to manage the risks associated with asbestos over a number of years, putting staff, students and contractors at risk of potential exposure”, said HSE inspector Edward Walker before Lincoln Magistrates' Court.