Shop owner disturbed asbesots during furniture delivery - advice needed

user1977

Emanu said:

It's a small amount but potentially deadly and in a communal area!

The stairs themselves are potentially deadly. Have you ever heard of anybody being killed by the artex in their home?

Tokmon

Emanu said:

It's a small amount but potentially deadly and in a communal area! We asked the health & safety guy to come and check and he said there was a damage to be repeared. We trust the opinion of a professional! 

Yes he probably said there was damage to be repaired but i can guarantee that he didn't say it was "potentially deadly". Asbestos is not good for you at all but it certainly isn't as dangerous as you seem to think it is and in reality anyone could have patched up a scratch and painted over it in little time. 

The problem is that as it was a communal area they had to use a company that deals with asbestos which just means you pay far above the odds for the work (in this case). But that doesn't mean the shop owner isn't liable and he will have to pay the bill. 

Jumblebumble

dreamypuma said:

Slightly different perspective...

Given the OP's concerns about the potential awkwardness of delivery (so much so that "we asked the shop owner to come and check the feasibility of the delivery") - Wouldn't it have been prudent for the OP to have disclosed the perceived risks of asbestos and possibility of disturbing it from the outset rather than during the call 5mins before arrival?

At least this way the vendor would have been fully aware of the potential gravity of the task. Maybe it would have altered his view on the risks, and agreement to proceed?

I think the OP is entitled to assume that a furniture delivery company that have pre inspected a job are not going to let the furniture gouge any parts of the wall or ceiling.
I suspect you did not read the OP where it is confirmed the vendor had come before and inspected