Marks & Spencer is facing a heavy fine over failing to protect staff, customers and workers from asbestos exposure.

The store giant, along with three contractors, is due for sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court following refurbishment work carried out at two of its stores in Reading and Bournemouth between 2006 and 2007. A three-month trial at Winchester Crown Court has already found M&S guilty of health and safety failings, while the three contractors were also found to be in breach of health and safety legislation.

The court heard that asbestos had been found in ceiling tiles at the two stores when the work was carried out but that M&S had not allocated enough time for the removal of the material, forcing the contractors to work overnight in some cases so as not to disrupt normal opening hours. It found that the management had been more concerned about the store's appearance than the potential of people being exposed to the material. However, the court also found the contractors guilty of not fully following the M&S guidance on asbestos removal.

Richard Matthews, prosecuting, told the trial that M&S was a company used to handling asbestos and it had its own code of practice but that the company, on these occasions, had not followed it. He said: "Better an unattractive store in the short term than the risk of anything else in the long term."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/sep/26/marks-and-spencer-asbestos-fine