Last Updated on 12th April 2022 by Dan

Asbestos removal firm and two managers gained asbestos licence unlawfully

Last week, on 12th March 2018, a local asbestos removal company were prosecuted for forging medical and asbestos training certificates in order to obtain an asbestos removal licence from the HSE.

Excavation and Contracting (UK) Ltd forged the certificates for their asbestos removal operatives.

The company did this over a period from 16th March 2012 and 10th March 2016.

David Lloyd, Asbestos Operations Manager, had forged the documents.

They included medicals in the name of Lee Cooper, the company Operations Manager, and also forged training certificates for both him and Brendan O’Halloran, the Managing Director.

Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how the doctor that had allegedly issued these medical certificates had infact retired and was living abroad.

An HSE investigation concluded that the company had used forged documents in order to obtain an asbestos removal licence from the HSE.

As a result of obtaining forged documents, the company were unable to prove that their operatives were properly trained.

Excavation and Contracting (UK) Ltd of West Quay Road, Warrington, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 10(1)(a) and 22(1)(c) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

They were subsequently fined £13,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

David Lloyd, of Hanwell Close, Leigh, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 10(1)(a) and 22(1)(c) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

He received a sentence of 12 weeks in prison and was suspended for two years.

Mr Lloyd was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service and to pay costs of £1,000.

Lee Cooper, of Shelley Close, Huyton, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 10(1)(a) and 22(1)(c) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

He was ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service and pay costs of £1,000.

HSE speak about the case

Matt Greenly, HSE inspector said of the case, “Putting people at risk from asbestos by not training them or monitoring their health, as required by law, not only puts their lives at risk from an incurable set of diseases, but is also wholly unnecessary.”

“There are ample affordable training providers and approved doctors who can carry out these functions at the convenience of the contractor. Taking deliberate shortcuts by creating forged documents will not be tolerated by HSE and we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

So make sure you contact our Armco office to arrange an asbestos survey, before it’s too late! 

Whether you need an asbestos management survey, or a refurbishment/ demolition survey, contact us on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting https://www.armco.org.uk/

Finally, for all your asbestos training needs call 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/to book an asbestos awareness training course.

Published Apr 16, 2018