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Non-registered contractor and owner of squatter structures convicted for removal of asbestos roofs by themselves
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     A non-registered contractor and an owner of squatter structures, who respectively removed illegally the asbestos roofs of squatter structures in Tai Po and Yuen Long by themselves, were fined a total of $10,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 18) for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO).

     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said that the department received a complaint in December 2016 that an asbestos roof of a squatter structure in Tai Po was illegally removed. Upon investigation, EPD staff found that the asbestos roof was removed by a non-registered contractor. On the other hand, during another inspection in March 2017, EPD staff found that an owner of a squatter structure in Yuen Long removed the asbestos roof of his squatter structure by himself. In both cases, a registered asbestos contractor was not hired to remove the asbestos roof and the EPD was not notified prior to commencement of the asbestos removal works. Given the removed asbestos cement sheets were classified as chemical waste, the EPD issued statutory notices to the contractor and owner of squatter structures to require them to properly handle the asbestos waste in accordance with the statutory requirements and the code of practice on asbestos control. After evidence collection, the EPD subsequently initiated prosecutions against the concerned contractor and owner of squatter structures in accordance with the APCO.

     The spokesman explained that, to safeguard public health, the removal of asbestos cement sheets must be carried out by a registered asbestos contractor in accordance with the statutory requirements and the code of practice on asbestos control to prevent asbestos fibres from being released and affecting the workers and public health. Failure to do so is an offence and offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. It is also an offence to fail to give not less than 28 days' written notice to the EPD on the commencement date of the asbestos abatement work, and offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000.

     Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for information on registered asbestos contractors: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/guide_ref/reg_contractors.html.
 
Ends/Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:45
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