A roofing contractor who was filmed on a doorbell camera illegally disposing of asbestos has been ordered to pay more than £3,500 in costs.
Stephen Wilks, trading as S Wilks Roofing, of Fernley Road, Mile End, Stockport, pleaded guilty to breaching asbestos safety regulations at Ashton-under-Lyne Magistrates Court on 28 March.
In a statement, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said that work carried out under Wilks’ control in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, led to the uncontrolled spread of asbestos in a residential back garden, putting two young workers and residents at risk.
Wilks had been commissioned by a property management firm to replace asbestos cement roof sheets on three garages in February 2022, the court heard.
But residents raised concerns to the HSE after footage emerged on a doorbell camera of him clearing asbestos debris and disposing of it in domestic waste bins.
It led to the watchdog launching an investigation. Its inspectors discovered ripped bags of asbestos waste stored in a publicly accessible area in front of garages, with asbestos-containing materials spilling onto the ground and contaminating nearby undergrowth, the HSE said.
Further investigation revealed that residents’ personal belongings stored in the garages had also been contaminated, the watchdog added.
The property management firm later arranged for a licensed asbestos removal contractor to collect the waste and clean the affected areas, according to the HSE.
HSE inspector Phil Redman said: “This was a serious incident that put 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.
“Dutyholders 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.”
Wilks pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) and Regulation 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which require proper planning and precautions to prevent exposure to and spread of asbestos during non-licensed work, the HSE said.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £3,582.13 costs.
Footage of the incident was released by the HSE to coincide with Global Asbestos Awareness Week.