News Summary

Contractor Stephen Wilks has been sentenced for improperly handling asbestos, posing risks to the community during a roofing project in Altrincham.

Local Roofing Contractor Faces Consequences for Asbestos Mishandling

In a troubling case that has raised alarms about asbestos safety regulations, self-employed roofing contractor Stephen Wilks, of S Wilks Roofing, has been ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work after improperly handling asbestos materials during a roofing project. This incident, which occurred in February 2022, was significant enough to catch the attention of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), leading to a formal investigation and prosecution.

Incident Overview

The roofing work, which involved replacing asbestos cement roof sheets on three garages located in Bowden, Altrincham, saw debris falling into a local resident’s garden. The careless disposal methods adopted by Wilks raised immediate concerns among residents due to the uncontrolled spread of asbestos in the area, placing local residents and two young workers at risk of exposure.

Evidence of Negligence

Footage captured by doorbell cameras revealed the shocking neglect displayed by Wilks and his team. In the video, segments of an old garage roof were seen being disposed of without any appropriate control measures. This was not just an oversight; it was a clear violation of established safety protocols. Subsequent analysis confirmed the presence of chrysotile asbestos in the debris, heightening the urgency for remediation.

Investigation Findings