Two men were captured by a doorbell-camera putting garage roof debris, including asbestos, into a domestic waste bins.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) began an investigation after a neighbouring resident raised concerns about debris falling into their garden during the work. Analysis confirmed the debris contained chrysotile asbestos. They had allowed a residential area in leafy Cheshire to be contaminated with asbestos-containing materials.
After the HSE brought charges, Stephen Wilks, trading as S Wilks Roofing, pleaded guilty to breaching asbestos safety regulations.
The court heard how Wilks had been commissioned by a property management company to replace asbestos cement roof sheets on three garages off Green Walk in Bowden, Altrincham in February 2022.
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 doorbel-cam footage below shows two workers under the supervision of Wilks improperly clearing asbestos debris from a neighbouring garden and disposing of it in domestic waste bins.
The property management company subsequently arranged for a licensed asbestos removal contractor to collect the waste and clean the affected areas.
Stephen 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. He was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £3,582.13 costs at a hearing at Ashton-Under-Lyne Magistrates Court on 28th March 2025.
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.”
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