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| ABL firms counting cost of failing to take safety seriously |
Jim Edwards, Health and Safety specialist at SHM Smith Hodgkinson told a special conference organised by RICS in Leeds too many firms leave themselves open to prosecution because of a lack of knowledge of the regulations.
He warned that many asset solutions specialists are failing to take health and safety seriously — putting both employees, organisations and, in some cases, the public at risk.
“Too many firms involved in our sector appear to disregard the Health and Safety and Environmental legislation that people working in industry take for granted,” he told an audience of industry insiders.
“It’s a dangerous game to play. It means individuals can be put at risk or serious injury and it also means organisations are wide open to a potential prosecution. Some of the actions taken by some asset solutions businesses would astound managers in industry, who comply with legislation far more readily.”
For example, in one recent case a finance company instructed a dealer to sell on a machine but dealer managed to ‘distribute’ asbestos debris throughout the facility. When the Receiver discovered the problem the Health and Safety Executive were called in, the site sealed off and a costly clean operation was put in place. A prosecution is expected to follow.
Adds Jim Edwards: “All businesses working in the sector ought to understand the risks involved where plant, equipment and stock is involved but few do. SHM is rare in having in-house health and safety expertise to call upon.
“There are environmental issues too, as anyone who lends into the high-tech and electronic sector will know. They produce hazardous chemicals and noxious gases. Effective and safe decommissioning is essential is these machines are to be sold or moved and if you use sub-contractors it’s up to you to check they are competent.”
“The implications for people involved in the industry are clear. If they cut corners and ignore the legislation they risk damaging their reputation and ruining lives.”
For more information, please visit www.shm-group.com
Press contacts: Tony Garner or Kelly Livesey at Viva PR,
++44 (0) 1706 214340. tony@vivapr.co.uk
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