Site Manager Sentenced for Exposing Workers to ‘Deadly’ Asbestos Risks

Greenheath demolition site

A site manager has been sentenced, and two Midlands companies fined, after a largescale asbestos disturbance and illegal clearance took place at a Cannock demolition site.

The incident put workers and members of the public at risk of exposure to the deadly material.

Prompted by concerns that the demolition work on site was unsafe, an HSE inspector visited Greenheath Road, Cannock on 7 September 2023.

Asbestos Discovered

The inspector found that demolition had been halted after asbestos was discovered on site. A subsequent refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey identified 218m² of asbestos-containing materials and debris.

Sohan Group Limited, the client for the project, commissioned an asbestos management survey before work began, which identified some asbestos-containing materials within the building to be demolished. This survey was shared with the demolition contractor, Maize Metals Limited.

However, Maize Metals proceeded with the demolition work despite being aware of the asbestos present.

Unlicensed Removal

Sohan Group Limited had not appointed a principal contractor to manage the construction project, as required under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Following the refurbishment and demolition survey, the company obtained a quote for removal by a licensed asbestos removal contractor but instead appointed Disa Properties Limited, represented by Ali Raza Baig, to carry out the asbestos clear-up.

Neither the company nor Ali Baig held the necessary licence or competence to work with asbestos. Ali Baig failed to engage a licensed contractor and failed to ensure appropriate measures were in place to prevent exposure to, and spread of, harmful asbestos fibres.

Competent and Licensed

HSE guidance on managing and working with asbestos states that, under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, employers must commission a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey before starting any work likely to disturb the fabric of a building constructed before 2000. Any asbestos-containing materials identified must either be left undisturbed or removed by a competent, and in many cases HSE-licensed, contractor under controlled conditions.

On 6 March 2026, Birmingham Magistrates’ Court fined Sohan Group Limited, of Sneyd Lane, Essington, Wolverhampton £74,900, after the company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5(4) of the Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2015. Sohan Group was also ordered to pay costs of £3,658.14 and a statutory surcharge of £2,000.

Maize Metals Limited, of Pikehelve Street, W Bromwich, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the CDM Regulations 2015 and was fined £13,400 and ordered to pay costs of £1,359.51 and a statutory surcharge of £2,000.

Ali Raza Baig, of Alton Close, Amington, Staffs pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the CDM Regulations 2015. He was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, and made subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 19:00 and 07:00 for 3 months. A director disqualification order was also made for 5 months. Ali Baig was warned that breach of the order is a criminal offence carrying a maximum sentence of 2 years’ imprisonment. He was ordered to pay costs of £5,899 and a statutory surcharge of £154.

Known to Kill

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.”