Hartlepool Mail reported on 13th November 2007 that the company at the centre of the ghost ships row has been fined £22,000 for a "reckless breach" of environmental regulations.
Able UK Holdings admitted failing to properly dispose of asbestos on two occasions after routine inspections were made at its Seaton Meadows landfill site on the outskirts of Hartlepool in 2005 and 2006.
The fine comes after Able UK was given planning permission to dispose of four former US Navy ships and weeks after the end of a planning inspectorate inquiry into the saga.
The company was twice found to be spreading and crushing asbestos with heavy machinery, which could have released dangerous fibres into the air. Although Able UK Holdings had the correct permit in place to dispose of hazardous waste, the site was operated by Alab Environmental Services, a subsidiary of the firm. During the sentencing hearing at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court, Trevor Cooper, representing the Environment Agency, described the offences as a reckless breach. He told the court: "It's a matter of scientific fact that there are severe health risks posed by exposure to asbestos, and breaking or crushing it can increase the number of fibres released, so there are strict controls that tell us how it's to be handled."Routine inspections on October 28, 2005, found a bulldozer scooping up asbestos and dropping it on top of already deposited asbestos. A large area of around 30yd x 25yd had also been left uncovered.
A second inspection on January 23, 2006, found similar activities taking place, which Able UK Holdings claimed had happened after a sub-contractor bulldozer operator failed to follow the proper operating instructions. Able UK Holdings pleaded guilty to two counts of contravening pollution regulations. Magistrates also took a third offence into consideration from October 6, 2005, when the site accepted asbestos waste for disposal before an asbestos fibres monitoring plan had been approved by the Environment Agency.
Able UK Holdings was ordered to pay fines of £10,000 for the first offence and £12,000 for the second offence. The company was also ordered to pay legal costs of £4,522.50 to the Environment Agency – all of which must be paid in the next seven days.
To read the full story please click on the link below
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/Ghost-ship-firm-fined-for.3482794.jp
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