Two companies and a site manager have had sentences handed to them after more than 200m2 was exposed to the public
Ali Raza Baig was the site manager responsible for the public asbestos exposure, with failings also attributed to Sohan Group Limited, the client for the project, and Maize Metals Limited, the company contracted for demolition works.
HSE has established that Sohan Group Limited had failed to appoint a principal contractor, while Maize Metals violated health and safety protocols by disturbing the asbestos despite knowing it was there.
The presence of asbestos was known well in advance
The site in question is at Greenheath Road, Cannock, and works began in 2023. An HSE inspector was called to investigate unsafe demolition work, where they found that 218m2 of asbestos-containing material and debris was exposed on site and to the public.
It was later found that Sohan Group Limited had previously commissioning an asbestos management survey before the project began, which found some asbestos in the building, and these findings were shared with Maize Metals Limited, who began the demolition in spite of the known dangers.
After HSE’s intervention and subsequent survey, Sohan sought out and obtained a quote for asbestos removal from a licenced asbestos removal contractor, but instead chose to hire Disa Properties Limited.
Disa was represented by Ali Raza Baig, who stated that the asbestos could be removed in spite of the fact that neither he nor the company he represented were licenced to do so. Mr Baig in turn also failed to hire a licenced contractor and made no efforts to improve safety or prevent exposure.
As a result of these myriad errors of judgement and failure to adhere to regulations meant to keep people safe, Sohan Group Limited was fined £74,900, with £3,658.14 in costs and a statutory surcharge of £2,000. Maize Metals Limited was fined £13,400 with £1,359.51 in costs and a statutory surcharge of £2,000.
Ali Raza Baig pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and as such has been sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and must spend three months in an electronically monitored curfew between 19:00 and 7:00. A director disqualification order was also made under Section 2(1) of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 for five years, and if breached, Mr Baig will face a further two years imprisonment. He was also required to pay £5,899 in costs and a statutory surcharge of £154.
Asbestos “is known to kill around 20 tradespeople each week”
HSE inspector Rob Gidman said: “Asbestos is a Class 1 carcinogen which is known to kill around 20 tradespeople each week due to past exposure. By failing to ensure the demolition was properly planned and managed, considering the presence of asbestos on site, these companies and Mr Baig put workers and members of the public at risk of being exposed to a substance known to cause fatal lung disease.
“This case should serve as a reminder to those engaged in demolition and refurbishment work that they have responsibilities when it comes to managing the risks associated with asbestos.”
HSE has an online campaign and guidance designed for firms to safely work with the carcinogen, more information about which can be found here.
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