A Manchester-based construction firm has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after workers were put at risk of being exposed to the dangerous material
The Manchester asbestos exposure fine was handed to A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited, which was the principal contractor working at the Unicorn Public House.
The site is located on Liverpool Road, Eccles, Greater Manchester.
The exposure risk was discovered in 2022
HSE discovered the asbestos exposure risk on 16 May 2022 during a routine inspection. The inspector discovered that a dumb waiter lift shaft had had 12 sq m of asbestos insulation board illegally removed.
This meant an asbestos survey had to be completed, and a prohibition notice was given, stopping all work on site until the survey was finished.
It was found that after discovering that the pub had been broken into and the material illegally removed, there was debris left behind. A licensed asbestos removal contractor then removed this debris, but the construction firm did not carry out a full asbestos survey.
Speaking after the hearing, a HSE spokesperson said: “This was a serious incident and put those working in the building at risk of being exposed to the harmful effects of asbestos.
“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.”
The company pled guilty to the asbestos exposure risk
A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited plead guilty to breaching Regulation 4(6) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and were fined £5,360 with another £5,117 in costs to Tameside Magistrates’ Court on 30 July 2025.
In July, it was confirmed that three companies are being prosecuted after Jason Waring, a site supervisor at Hinkley Point C, died from construction-related injuries in November 2022.
While specifics have still not been announced, the three companies facing prosecution are NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd, Bouygues Travaux Publics SAS, and Laing O’Rourke Delivery Limited.
At the time of the incident, delivery director Nigel Cann, said: “We are very sad to confirm that one of our team was involved in a fatal construction traffic incident this morning during planned work activities.
“The incident is being investigated by the police and the Health and Safety Executive, and we will co-operate fully with the authorities.
“Work at the site has been stood down and we are offering support to colleagues affected by this tragic event. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.”
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