A team of Prince’s Trust volunteers, helping to clear a site ready for a community garden, have been told to stop work after asbestos cement was found buried at the site

Last Updated on November 9, 2012 by

Teenagers volunteers working on a community garden in Bolton were quickly taken off the project asbestos was found buried at the site.

The asbestos was found mixed in with concrete in the Hideaway Garden, Barton Road, Farnworth. A team of Prince’s Trust volunteers were helping to clear the area before it is turned into a community garden.

The volunteers supervisor took them off the project last week “as a precautionary measure” when they found the potentially hazardous substance.  Contour Housing, whom are funding the project, said they safely disposed of the substance after consulting with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Those involved were assured that cement mixed with asbestos is normally considered low-hazard and no special license is needed to work with it. Work has now been suspended on the site until a review can be carried out.

Nick Trotter, from Groundwork whom are to build the garden, stated “We have taken this matter very seriously to ensure the health and safety of those involved in the project. We are committed to the project, which aims to turn a site targeted by fly-tippers into a community garden for local residents.” Anyone with information regarding the illegal dumping of the waste are urged to contact their local police station.

Mandatory Asbestos Awareness training is designed to ensure that those whom are likely to come into contact with asbestos containing materials (ACM) in their work tasks are able to identify such material immediate and then follow the correct procedures to minimise the risk to themselves, co-workers and the general public.

Armco offers Asbestos Awareness training, along with various other types of asbestos related training and services such as surveying and removals, at a very competitive price. The training can be held at any premises throughout the UK or at our premises in Bury, Greater Manchester. Call the office on 0161 761 4424 for further details.

Published Nov 09, 2012