HEALTH and safety officials are today preparing to take an asbestos removal company to court after claims they risked public safety while stripping the potentially hazardous substance at an Ipswich development.

LCH contracts, who worked to remove asbestos from St Francis Tower in 2005, are accused of breaching safety regulations by failing to protect those not in its employment, contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The company is also alleged to have breached three Control of Asbestos at Work regulations by failing to follow a plan of work, failing to protect workers inside an enclosure while dry stripping asbestos and failing to prevent the spread of asbestos.

LCH, which is based in Billericay, Essex is licensed to remove asbestos by the HSE.

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