EDDIE Stobart has pled guilty to exposing its workers to asbestos at one of its sites without a proper asbestos survey.

The logistics company - based in Appleton Thorn - has faced a fine of hundreds of thousands of pounds, plus nearly £10,000 in legal costs.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found an asbestos survey had not been carried out, the workers involved hadn’t received any training in relation to asbestos, and Eddie Stobart failed to report the incident correctly.

Warrington Guardian: The logistics company has faced a fine after allowing its workers to be exposed to asbestosThe logistics company has faced a fine after allowing its workers to be exposed to asbestos (Image: BBC)

The company was ordered to pay a £133,000 fine after asbestos was disturbed at a site in Widnes during work undertaken in early 2018.

A risk assessment had not been carried out nor suitable control measures put in place to prevent or reduce exposure to asbestos or prevent the spread of asbestos-containing materials from the site.

The company then failed to report the incident under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations within the 10-day timeframe required.

It was months after work was completed that testing took place, which picked up traces of asbestos in the area that had been frequented by Eddie Stobart workers.

Eddie Stobart Ltd, of Stretton Green Distribution Park, Langford Way, Appleton, Warrington, Cheshire pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5 of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and Regulation 11(1) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

The company was fined £133,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,260 on Friday, November 4.

Following the hearing, HSE Inspector Stuart Wood said: "The duty to manage asbestos relates to entire premises including yard areas, not just buildings.

"There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos."