Industry News


Company and its director prosecuted for unsafe removal of asbestos


A


n asbestos removal company has been convicted and its director given a prison sentence aſter failing to ensure the safe


removal of asbestos from domestic properties. Asbestos Boss Limited, also known as Asbestos


Team and its director, Daniel Luke Cockcroſt, advertised as a licensed asbestos removal company and removed licensable material from homes throughout Great Britain. An investigation carried out by the Health and


Safety Executive found that Asbestos Boss Limited had never held a licence and their poor working practices resulted in the largescale spread of asbestos and exposure to residents. Little to no precautions were taken by Asbestos


Boss Limited and so their own workers, as well as anybody at the premises they were working on, were at serious risk of exposure to asbestos. Te company and their director also breached a prohibition notice on several occasions. At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Asbestos


Boss Limited of Old Gloucester Street, London was found guilty of breaching regulations 8(1) and 11(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Tey were also found guilty of one charge relating to the failure to comply with a prohibition notice at two separate addresses which prevented them from working with licensed asbestos materials. Company director Daniel Luke Cockcroſt


of Darnes Avenue, Halifax, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the Health and Safety at


Little to no precautions were taken by Asbestos Boss Limited and so their own workers, as well as anybody at the premises they were working on, were at serious risk of exposure to asbestos. The company and their director also breached a prohibition notice on several occasions


Work Act 1974 in relation to the company’s failing of regulation 8(1) and 11(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 as well as the charge for breach of a prohibition notice. He was immediately imprisoned for six months and ordered to pay victim compensation. HSE Inspector Matt Greenly said: “Asbestos is


a killer. Companies and their directors need to recognise the dangers of removing asbestos by themselves both to their employees and others. Asbestos removal should only be carried out by trained personnel who understand the risks and how to control them.” “Asbestos Boss have deliberately removed a


highly dangerous material resulting in a significant risk of exposure to cancer causing asbestos. Tey not only have put their customers at risk but have also undoubtedly put themselves, their workers, and their families at serious risk.” “By undertaking asbestos removal work himself,


Mr Cockcroſt has also chanced his own life, and the life of his family by working unsafely with asbestos, despite knowing full well what the risks were.”


“Tis case should serve as a warning to any


other companies who think they can make a quick profit by cutting corners and risking lives. I also hope that potential customers will be able to avoid rogue companies like Asbestos Boss by carrying out simple checks to ensure that any company they employ is legitimate and competent to prevent them and their families being put at serious risk.” Asbestos Boss and Mr Cockcroſt, were also


prosecuted by Stockport Trading Standards, in a jointly run case with HSE. Cockcroſt and the company were both charged with fraud in relation to falsifying training certificates, a business insurance document and unauthorised use of trade association logos. Tis gave the impression that the business was


credible and that workers were adequately trained and competent in relation to asbestos removal. Cockcroſt pleaded guilty to fraud and the company was also convicted. Daniel Cockcroſt was sentenced to an additional four month in prison making a total prison term of 10 months.


Young tradespeople need to know the risk of asbestos


A new safety campaign is urging Millennials, Gen Z workers and other younger people who work as plumbers, electricians and in other trades, to take the risk of asbestos much more seriously. Tat’s the message from the Health and Safety


Executive (HSE). Te workplace regulator has launched the campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with the dangerous substance. Te campaign, called ‘Asbestos and You’, will


target all tradespeople with a focus on younger workers in trades such as plastering and joinery. HSE wants to reach construction workers who started their careers aſter the use of asbestos was banned in 1999. Te regulator is concerned the length of


time it takes for symptoms to develop aſter asbestos exposure could lead to a perception among today’s younger workers that it is something that only impacts older people who were working before the ban. 5,000 people a year still die from asbestos related illnesses and asbestos can still be found in buildings


built or refurbished before the year 2000. Asbestos containing materials were used


extensively in the construction and maintenance of buildings in Great Britain from the 1950s until the ban. Tat means construction workers of all ages could still be exposed to asbestos fibres today. HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon said: “Asbestos


exposure in Great Britain is still the single greatest cause of work-related deaths. We are committed to protecting people in the workplace and reducing future work-related ill health.” “Everyone working in construction today, of


any age, must take the risk from asbestos seriously. Asbestos is dangerous when not maintained in a safe condition or if physically disturbed without the right measures in place to avoid fibres being released into the air.” If asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can cause


serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural thickening. Construction tradespeople of any age are at significant risk if they disturb


16 | HMMApril/May 2023 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


If asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural thickening


materials containing asbestos during repairs and refurbishment. HSE’s head of health and work policy Mike


Calcutt said: “Tese diseases oſten take a long time to develop, and it can take 20 to 30 years for symptoms to appear. It is crucial that all workers know how to recognise the dangers and take the right actions to protect themselves and those around them from being exposed to asbestos fibres.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36