A fine has been levied on a pub operator following the asbestos exposure to a number of workers while the refurbishment work was going on at the pub.

The operator, Mitchells & Butlers Retail, of Fleet Street, Birmingham, has been asked to pay a fine of 14,001 pounds after it pleaded guilty to have committed a breach under section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Regulation 5 of the Asbestos Regulations 2006. Along with the fine they were also told to pay costs of 11,781.45 pounds.

It was, however, only limited to areas where the work of refurbishment was to be done but the plans somehow got altered before even initiating it. The refurbishment work was started by 3 electricians and 2 plumbers in a kitchen area which wasn’t in the original survey. These were under debris and dust which caused them to be exposed to asbestos.

“Mitchells & Butlers Retail Ltd knew there was asbestos in the building and should have ensured that all the areas where work was to be done had been checked for asbestos and the necessary precautions taken,” said Victoria Wise, HSE inspector.