A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited, a Manchester-based construction company, has been fined for exposing workers to asbestos during a project at the former Unicorn Public House.
Asbestos Found and Illegally Removed at Construction Site
During a routine inspection on May 16, 2022, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector made a disturbing discovery at a construction site.
The inspector found that 12 square meters of asbestos insulation board (AIB) had been illegally removed from a dumbwaiter lift shaft by unknown individuals.
The illegal removal prompted the inspector to issue a prohibition notice, halting all work on site until a full asbestos survey could be completed.
Earlier, a site worker had entered the building after noticing a broken door and discovered asbestos debris near the lift shaft. A licensed asbestos removal contractor was brought in to wrap and remove this debris.
However, A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited failed to conduct a full asbestos survey to confirm that all asbestos-containing materials were gone before allowing construction work to continue.
Keeping Workers Safe: HSE Campaigns on Asbestos
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is actively working to protect tradespeople from the dangers of asbestos through two key campaigns: “Asbestos and You” and “Asbestos Your Duty.”
These campaigns aim to raise awareness among workers and those responsible for the maintenance of non-domestic buildings about the risks of asbestos and the crucial importance of safe handling.
To support this effort, the HSE offers comprehensive guidance on its website for both workers and employers. This resource includes vital information on how to identify asbestos, what steps to take if you discover it, and the necessary safety precautions for working with or near asbestos-containing materials.
Tradespeople in fields like construction, maintenance, demolition, and installation are at a particularly high risk of exposure. The HSE emphasizes that these workers must have the appropriate training before undertaking any job that could potentially disturb asbestos.
Company Fined After Asbestos Violation
A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited has been fined for violating asbestos regulations.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(6) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and was ordered to pay a total of £10,477, which includes a fine of £5,360 and costs of £5,117. The sentencing took place on July 30, 2025, at Tameside Magistrates’ Court.
Following the hearing, an HSE spokesperson commented on the seriousness of the incident. “This was a serious incident and put those working in the building at risk of being exposed to the harmful effects of asbestos,” they stated.
The spokesperson also emphasized the importance of safety for all duty holders. “Duty holders are reminded of the need to review without delay an asbestos assessment if there has been a significant change in the premises to which the assessment relates.”
HSE enforcement lawyer Sam Crockett and paralegal Hannah Snelling supported the prosecution.
Frequently asked questions
Understanding the “Duty Holder” for Asbestos Management
The term “duty holder” refers to the person or organization legally responsible for managing asbestos risks in a building. This designation typically falls to:
- The building owner
- The landlord of the premises
- Any person or organization with explicit responsibility for the building’s maintenance and repair
Ultimately, the duty holder is tasked with a critical responsibility: to protect all individuals from the dangers of asbestos exposure.
Understanding the Legal Duty to Manage Asbestos
The legal duty to manage asbestos, outlined in the Control of Asbestos Regulations, applies to all non-domestic buildings (such as shops and factories) and the common areas of multi-occupancy domestic buildings (like flats).
This duty requires the designated “duty holder” to take proactive steps to protect people from exposure. The key responsibilities include:
- Identification: Presuming all materials contain asbestos unless proven otherwise, and then assessing the location, quantity, and condition of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
- Documentation: Creating and maintaining an up-to-date register of all identified or presumed ACMs.
- Risk Management: Assessing the risk of anyone being exposed to asbestos fibres and creating a detailed management plan to control that risk. This plan must be reviewed at least once a year.
- Communication: Providing information on the location and condition of ACMs to anyone who might work on or disturb them, including emergency services.
Asbestos Management: The Importance of a Trained “Responsible Person”
To ensure asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are managed safely, you must appoint a competent individual within your organization to take charge. This “responsible person” needs to have the necessary skills, training, resources, and authority to effectively oversee the management of all ACMs.
The ideal candidate for this role will vary depending on the size and structure of the organization:
- In smaller companies, the owner may be the most suitable person.
- In larger organizations, where the role is more complex, a safety, health, and environment manager, a maintenance or estates manager, or a building/facility manager may be a better fit.
As the designated duty holder, you have a legal obligation to provide additional training for anyone involved in executing parts of the asbestos management plan.
It is also crucial that you, as the duty holder, understand your own responsibilities and attend relevant training to ensure you can meet them.
How do I know if I have been exposed to Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure is often recognized by those who have worked with it, but its types and names vary. Many people don’t realize they were exposed until diagnosed with a condition caused by previous exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with several different forms, each with its own properties and common uses. Here are the six main types:
- Chrysotile (White Asbestos): This is the most common type found in buildings and is often used in pipe insulation, brake pads, and brake linings. Due to its widespread use, it is linked to the majority of asbestosis and mesothelioma diagnoses.
- Actinolite: A darker asbestos that contains silicon, magnesium, calcium, and iron. It was typically used in paints, sealants, cement, and insulation.
- Amosite (Brown Asbestos): Often found in roofing materials like tiles, as well as in fireproofing products.
- Anthophyllite: This type is typically yellowish or brownish. While less common than others, it was still used in some home insulation and cement products.
- Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos): Another common form of asbestos, Crocidolite is also responsible for a significant number of asbestos-related illnesses. It was widely used in insulation and tiles.
- Tremolite: Described as a white-to-green asbestos, Tremolite was used in a variety of products, including paints and roofing materials.
How do I recognize the Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Illness
Symptoms of asbestos-related health conditions, such as asbestosis, often manifest in the chest and can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent coughing
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
It’s important to understand that these symptoms typically do not appear immediately after exposure. It can take anywhere from 20 to 35 years for an asbestos-related illness to develop, and some individuals who have been exposed may never become ill.
If you begin experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek urgent medical attention. Be sure to inform your doctor about any known history of asbestos exposure during your appointment. This information is crucial for an accurate diagnosis.
A medical evaluation might lead to a diagnosis of various asbestos-related conditions, including malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, or asbestosis.
How can we help?
Receiving a diagnosis for an asbestos-related lung condition is a difficult and worrying time for you and your family. We understand the challenges you face in coming to terms with your diagnosis and the uncertainty it can bring.
We strongly encourage anyone diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness to contact a solicitor at the appropriate time to explore your legal options.
As industrial disease solicitors, our primary goal is to help you and your family secure compensation for your exposure and the resulting illness. Beyond our legal work, we are committed to supporting you and your loved ones through this challenging period.
While dealing with your diagnosis can be overwhelming, there are resources available to help you cope, such as:
Further information:
Manchester firm fined after workers exposed to asbestos risks.
HSE: The duty to manage asbestos in buildings.
Mesothelioma Claims.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you have suffered from asbestos exposure in this or a similar situation, you may be entitled to compensation. Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation.
Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page or call us on 0113 323 2884 to find out how we can help you with your enquiry.
Liam Hill is a Solicitor and Deputy Head of the Industrial Disease Team, having trained and qualified at Oakwood Solicitors. Liam joined us in 2013 after successfully completing the Legal Practice C…
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