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Registered asbestos contractor convicted for failing to properly supervise asbestos abatement works
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     A registered asbestos contractor, who failed to carry out on-site supervision during the removal works of asbestos cement sheets as required by law, was fined $10,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (November 15) for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO).

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that during an inspection of the removal works of asbestos cement sheets at the squatter houses in Sheung Wo Che, Sha Tin in April this year, it was found that no registered asbestos supervisor was on site to supervise the works. EPD officers immediately requested the workers to stop the works and called the supervisor concerned to return to the site to complete the works in accordance with the requirements of the law and the code of practice on asbestos control. The EPD subsequently initiated prosecution against the registered asbestos contractor responsible for the works under the APCO.

     The spokesman explained that, to safeguard public health, the removal of asbestos cement sheets must be supervised on site by a registered asbestos supervisor, and be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the law and the code of practice on asbestos control to prevent asbestos fibres from being released into the area surrounding  the work site.

     Under the APCO, a registered asbestos contractor must hire and appoint a registered asbestos supervisor to provide continuous on-site supervision of asbestos abatement works. Failure to do so is a contravention of the law and is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     The spokesman reminded all registered asbestos contractors that they must fulfill their duties to properly supervise asbestos abatement works. The EPD will rigorously enforce the law and take legal action against any non-compliance found.
 
Ends/Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:03
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