A North East businessman is counting the financial cost of exposing his employees to asbestos fibres after being taken to court for health and safety failings.

Timour Haghkar bought the Excelsior Social Club in Ashington, Northumberland, without carrying out an asbestos survey. That meant he didn’t know the building contained asbestos insulating board, which is also known as AIB, or by the trade name Asbestolux.

AIB was widely used in the building trade from the 1930s to the 1980s, when production ceased. It was valued for its insulating and fire resistance qualities.

Mid and South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court heard that the AIB was disturbed during refurbishment work on the club.

The required measures to protect employees from the fibres and to stop the fibres spreading had not been put in place.

Health and Safety Executive inspectors investigated and discovered that the AIB had not been removed in a controlled way and that a licenced asbestos removal contractor had not been used.

Mr Haghkar, of Woodhorn Road, Ashington, was found guilty of offences under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

He was ordered to pay a £560 fine and an additional £8,391 for the cost of the HSE inquiry.

He must also pay £36,000 to have the asbestos waste properly disposed of by a licenced asbestos removal specialist.

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