A SHIP breaking company could have put the lives of workers at risk by exposing them to potentially deadly asbestos, a court heard.

Firefighters who were called to tackle a blaze at the site were also put at potential risk through the company failing to carry out a survey to identify the lethal fibres, the court was told.

AceTech Construction Ltd, of Marsh Lane, Barrow Haven, admitted three offences of contravening health and safety regulations between December 2007 and February 2008.

Kirsty Welsh, prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), told North Lincolnshire magistrates the company broke and dismantled ships to sell parts for recycling. An ex-fishing trawler was bought and taken to New Holland docks for dismantling.

Work began to dismantle the ship using hot cutting equipment.

A fire later broke out on the ship and fire crews attended to put the blaze out.

Firefighters asked if there was any asbestos on the ship, but were told there was not.

Dismantling later continued. A routine inspection was launched by the HSE and officers found suspicious materials on the dock and quayside.

Scientists took samples from the deck and quayside and found traces of white and brown asbestos. There was no blue asbestos, the most serious type.

Mrs Welsh said: "No asbestos survey had been carried out before the work was carried out.

"They carried on working as if there wasn't any."

Breathing protection equipment was not worn by workers to minimise the effects of any exposure.

"It can be assumed there was an uncontrolled release of asbestos," said Mrs Welsh.

"It is impossible to say what the effect will be. It will take 20 to 40 years for the effects to become apparent."

Andrew Pascoe, mitigating, said the company made prompt and full admissions, co-operated with the HSE, had no previous convictions and had taken steps to remedy the deficiencies in work practices.

Nobody knew how much exposure to asbestos would lead to asbestos-related illnesses causing death 20, 30 or 40 years later.

Mr Pascoe said, in his work as a deputy coroner, the inquests he dealt with involved very regular and protracted exposure to asbestos.

He did not think he had ever dealt with any cases involving exposure to asbestos for just three months, as in this case.

"It is usually over many years," he said.

"It is a question of getting this in perspective.

"It's impossible to state what the potential for harm in this particular case would have been.

"The company accepts they had not taken any steps to eliminate any risk.

"They have accepted there was asbestos present."

The most dangerous form of asbestos was not present and five samples showed no asbestos whatsoever.

Mr Pascoe said: "The company failed in its duties to its employees.

"They acknowledge that."

The company was fined £3,400 and ordered to pay £5,000 costs and a Government-imposed £15 victims' surcharge.