The Public Prosecution Service (OM) is prosecuting asbestos company Eternit for the death of two former employees and one of their partners. According to the judiciary, the company knew that it was exposing its staff to serious health risks.
The OM states that Eternit acted intentionally and is therefore criminally responsible for the death of the three victims.
The criminal case follows a report from 2019 by the Asbestos Victims Committee. That foundation stands up for people who have become ill from exposure to asbestos. The investigation took years, partly because it was legally complex.
Among the three victims are two people who worked for years at various Eternit locations. They were exposed to asbestos fibers in the process. The third victim came into contact with asbestos through her husband’s soiled work clothing.
The OM emphasizes that companies that work with hazardous substances have a heavy responsibility. They are obliged to protect the health of their employees and minimize risks.
OM: Eternit failed to comply with duty of care
Eternit is a building materials company from Goor in Overijssel. Asbestos fibers were used in production until this was banned in 1993. Employees are said to have inhaled asbestos for decades. The OM believes that the company also failed to comply with its duty of care when the use of asbestos was still legal.
Eternit’s lawyer tells De Telegraaf that the company has always complied with the rules. According to the newspaper, Eternit is being prosecuted for manslaughter and culpable homicide.
When inhaled, asbestos fibers can penetrate deep into the lungs. In the long term, it can lead to fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma, peritoneal cancer and asbestosis (pneumoconiosis).