25 Jun 2015

Boss had contractor work on asbestos site

2:52 pm on 25 June 2015

A court has fined a company boss $25,000 for having a contractor work on a site that tested positive for asbestos.

Worksafe took the prosecution against Ranjit Singh, who is the sole director of Nihal Homes.

He has been convicted in the Auckland District Court of breaching health and safety regulations.

Worksafe said an inspector visited the building site in Symonds Street, which tested positive for asbestos.

The inspector issued a prohibition notice, and explained to Mr Singh no work could be carried out until the notice was lifted.

Worksafe said Mr Singh then had a contractor remove a wooden ramp, claiming he was just taking it away from the site so it would not get wet.

The judge was satisfied that removing the ramp was in contravention of the prohibition notice.

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