The health trust in charge of St Albans Hospital has pleaded guilty to five health and safety offences in relation to the management of asbestos during a decade.
West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust pleaded guilty to contravening a health and safety regulation at Watford Magistrates' Court last Friday.
One charge was for an employer breach, between 1st April 2000 and 6th December 2011, for failing to discharge the duty to which it is subject to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees, including members of the estates team exposed to asbestos.
There were three further counts of contravening a health and safety regulation: for failing to have a written plan and take measures for managing the risk from asbestos, or give adequate information, instruction and training to employees likely to be exposed to the fibres between 12 November 2006 and 6th December 2011.
The fifth offence that the trust pleaded guilty to was for failing to take measures necessary to reduce the exposure of its employees to asbestos to the lowest level reasonably practicable.
After the trust appeared in court Dr Mike Van Der Watt, medical director, said the case has now been referred to the Crown Court for sentencing.
He added, "it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage other than to say that we have made significant changes to the way we manage and control asbestos across our hospitals, ensuring the risk of exposure to our staff and patients is to the lowest reasonable level.
"In addition, we have invested heavily in the safe removal of asbestos across all three sites."
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