Stephen Wilks, trading as S Wilks Roofing, pleaded guilty to breaching asbestos safety regulations on a 2022 project in Bowden, Altrincham.

Commissioned by a property management company, Wilks’s job was to replace asbestos cement roof sheets from three garages.

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An investigation was launched after a local resident found debris in their garden, which was later found to contain asbestos. 

HSE inspectors found ripped bags of asbestos waste stored in publicly accessible areas in front of the garages with waste spilling onto the ground. 

Doorbell camera footage showed two workers under Wilks’s supervision improperly clearing asbestos waste and disposing it into domestic waste bins. Residents’ personal belongings in the garages were also found to have been contaminated by the asbestos waste. 

The property management company subsequently arranged for a licensed asbestos removal contractor to safely collect this waste and clean the affected areas. 

Pleading guilty at Ashton-Under-Lyne Magistrates, Wilks was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £3,582.13 in costs.

“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,” said HSE inspector Phil Redman. 

“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.”

The prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Kate Harney and paralegal officer Rebecca Withell.