A self-employed roofing contractor has been ordered to undertake unpaid work after the uncontrolled spread of asbestos in a back garden put two young workers and local residents at risk.
Doorbell-cam footage shows parts of an old garage roof being disposed of with a lack of control measures. This footage was released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at the start of Global Asbestos Awareness Week, to highlight the dangers.
Stephen Wilks, trading as S Wilks Roofing, pleaded guilty to breaching asbestos safety regulations after work carried out under his control led to the contamination of a residential area with asbestos-containing materials.
The court heard how Mr Wilks had been commissioned by a property management company to replace asbestos cement roof sheets on three garages in Bowden, Altrincham in February 2022.
HSE began an investigation after a local resident raised concerns about debris that had fallen into their garden during the work. Analysis confirmed the debris contained chrysotile asbestos.
HSE inspectors discovered ripped bags of asbestos waste stored in a publicly accessible area in front of the garages, with asbestos-containing materials spilling onto the ground and contaminating nearby undergrowth. Further investigation revealed that residents' personal belongings stored in the garages had also been contaminated.
The footage showed two workers, under the supervision of Mr Wilks, improperly clearing asbestos debris from a neighbouring garden and disposing of it in domestic waste bins, highlighting the unsafe practices that led to this prosecution.
The property management company subsequently arranged for a licensed asbestos removal contractor to safely collect the waste and thoroughly clean the affected areas.
Mr Wilks pleaded guilty to breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations SI 2012/632, which require proper planning and precautions to prevent exposure to and spread of asbestos during non-licensed work. He was sentenced to a 12 month Community Order with 200 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £3582.13 in costs.
HSE inspector Phil Redman said: "This was a serious incident that put Mr Wilks, those working under his control, and members of the public, at risk from the potential harmful effects of being exposed to asbestos-containing materials. Duty holders are reminded to ensure they fully control the risks associated with the removal of asbestos-containing materials that do not require removal by a licensed asbestos removal contractor".
HSE's campaign "Asbestos and You" reminds tradespeople about the dangers of asbestos and the importance of working safely with it. The regulator also provides comprehensive guidance for workers and employers about working safely with asbestos, including:
Workers in trades such as construction, maintenance, demolition and installation are particularly at risk and should ensure they have appropriate training before starting work that might disturb asbestos.
For more information on this subject, see:
