A GLASS firm has been fined £20,000 after exposing nearly 200 workers and visitors to the risk of dangerous asbestos fibres at its premises near Consett.

Sunderland-based Romag also ignored recommendations from its own safety advisors to cordon off a contaminated area and arrange for an emergency clean-up by specialists.

The Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident, which was triggered by two fire alarm installers when they started some work at the firm’s Princess Building on Leadgate Industrial Estate on July 12, 2011.

Consett Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday (October 14) that the two subcontractors, who had been told the building was free from asbestos, unknowingly drilled through an asbestos insulation panel while installing fire sensors.

They then used a domestic vacuum cleaner to clean up the dust and debris and later used it in several parts of the building as they put up the sensors, spreading asbestos fibres around the premises.

The court was told the asbestos disturbance was discovered the next day but Romag Ltd failed to take any appropriate action for at least nine days, even though its own health and safety advisors had urged it to cordon off and lock down the area and arrange for an emergency clean-up and air clearance test.

The HSE found the firm’s delay in taking action led to 180 workers and 16 visitors being put at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.

When the clean-up was organised, a substantial amount of contaminated material was collected.

HSE Inspector Paul Miller said: “Any company that intends to do work to the fabric of a property built prior to the year 2000 must ensure that they have taken all reasonable steps to check whether asbestos is present before any work starts.”

Romag Ltd, of Emperor Way, Sunderland pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £12,638 in costs.

Phil Murray, managing director of Romag, said: “After a full review corrective action was taken to resolve the issue and procedures are now in place to prevent any further incidents.

“Romag is committed to the health and safety of our staff, visitors and external contractors on our premises and are continually working to improve standards in relation to this.”