HSE Prosecutes Two Companies and Site Manager Over Major Asbestos Disturbance in Cannock

A recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution serves as a stark reminder of the deadly risks of cutting corners on asbestos management during demolition work.

​Incident Overview

Demolition work at a site on Greenheath Road, Cannock, ground to a halt when asbestos was found amid ongoing activities. An urgent refurbishment and demolition (R&D) survey revealed approximately 218 m² of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and debris scattered across the site. Despite this discovery, unlicensed firm Disa Properties Limited—represented by site manager Ali Raza Baig—was contracted to undertake the decontamination instead of a licensed asbestos removal contractor

The client, Sohan Group Limited, had only conducted a basic asbestos management survey beforehand, which flagged some ACMs. This information was passed to the demolition contractor Maize Metals Limited and at stage of the project an Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Survey should have been undertaken, and the removal of all licensed asbestos material should have been undertaken by a licensed asbestos removal contractor. The HSE reports that Sohan Group did receive a quotations from a licensed asbestos contractor but decided to place the project work with a non-licensed company Disa Properties

Critical Regulatory Breaches

Sohan Group Limited neglected to appoint a principal contractor and they entered a guilty pleas to breaching Regulation 5(4) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £74,900 and ordered to pay costs of £3,658.14 and a statutory surcharge of £2,000.

​Maize Metals Limited failed to plan and manage the demolition adequately and pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £13,400 and ordered to pay costs of £1,359.51 and a statutory surcharge of £2,000.

​Disa Properties and Mr Ali Raza Baig operated without an HSE asbestos licence, lacking the competence to handle ACMs safely and prevent fibre spread. Mr Baig pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 by virtue of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

A director disqualification order was made under Section 2(1) of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 for five years from 6 March 2026. Mr Baig was warned that breach of the order is a criminal offence carrying a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment

As HSE Inspector Rob Gidman noted, poor planning exposes people to fatal diseases—duty holders must prioritise competence and compliance. This case reinforces why robust method statements, client advisories, and pre-work surveys are non-negotiable in UK asbestos management.

Two companies and site manager prosecuted following large-scale asbestos disturbance – HSE Media Centre 

Lessons Learned from the Cannock Prosecution

• A standard asbestos management survey is not sufficient for demolition; a full refurbishment and demolition (R&D) survey must be completed before work starts.

• Work must stop immediately if unexpected or widespread ACMs are discovered, and the job must be re‑planned using competent, licensed asbestos contractors.

• Clients remain legally responsible for appointing a competent principal contractor and designer under CDM 2015 and cannot offload these duties informally.

• Choosing unlicensed contractors to save money is a serious breach and can lead to major contamination, delays, and heavy penalties.

• Demolition contractors must actively review asbestos information, challenge gaps, and refuse to proceed where surveys or plans are inadequate.

• Poor planning and uncontrolled asbestos work can result in prosecutions of both companies and individuals, including fines, suspended prison sentences, curfews, and director disqualification.

• Robust method statements, pre‑start checks, and clear allocation of responsibilities are essential to prevent fibre release and protect workers, neighbours, and future site users.

How Can Asbestos Compliance Help?

Before any refurbishment or demolition starts, clients should carry out a simple “fit-for-purpose” review of the refurbishment and demolition asbestos information they already hold.

​We can provide this review using a structured checklist designed to confirm that the refurbishment survey is specific to the actual works, based on the current asbestos management survey, and aligned with clear drawings and a written scope, rather than a generic report.

​Treating this review as a routine control measure helps ensure that survey planning, execution, and reporting all match the real refurbishment scope, and greatly reduces the risk of hidden ACMs, large‑scale contamination, and the type of enforcement seen in the Cannock prosecution.

If you require support in carrying out a "fit‑for‑purpose" refurbishment and demolition asbestos review before starting work, Asbestos Compliance can assist with structured checklists, clarification of survey scope, and practical next steps where gaps are identified.