Company Director Jailed for Unsafe Work with Asbestos

Adam Fox • 18 May 2023

The Company and its Director prosecuted for unsafe removal of Asbestos across the UK

An asbestos removal company has been convicted, and its director given a prison sentence after failing to ensure the safe removal of asbestos. Asbestos Boss Limited, also known as Asbestos Team and its director, Daniel Luke Cockcroft, advertised as a licensed asbestos removal company and removed licensable material from domestic properties throughout Great Britain.


An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Asbestos Boss Limited had never held a licence and their poor working practices resulted in the large-scale spread of asbestos and exposure to homeowners and their families. Little to no precautions were taken by Asbestos Boss Limited and so their own workers, as well as anybody at the premises they were working on, were at serious risk of exposure to asbestos. The company and their director also breached a prohibition notice on several occasions.


HSE Inspector Matt Greenly said: “Asbestos is a killer. Companies and their directors need to recognise the dangers of removing asbestos by themselves both to their employees and others. Asbestos removal should only be carried out by trained personnel who understand the risks and how to control them.


Graham Warren, ACAD Manager, commented, “ACAD welcomes this prosecution and the imprisonment which starts to reflect the seriousness of the shocking breaches involved here. It can be difficult for the uninformed client when it comes to Asbestos, but the most straightforward check available to all is via the ACAD website to ensure anybody they ask to work on Asbestos is a member of ACAD”.


The Investigation and Findings


Numerous Cases of Unsafe Asbestos Removal


The joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Stockport Trading Standards revealed a number of similar cases of licensed work being done across the country. There were little to no precautions taken, and so their own workers, as well as anybody at the premises they were working on, were at serious risk of exposure to asbestos.


Falsification of Documents and Breaching Prohibition Notices


It was also discovered that Asbestos Boss Limited provided fake air test certificates and waste transfer notes to customers and had also falsified asbestos training certificates and insurance documents. The company and Daniel Cockcroft also breached a prohibition notice on several occasions.


The Prosecution and Sentencing


Company Director Sentenced to Prison


At Manchester Magistrate's Court on 10 March, Company director Daniel Luke Cockcroft of Darnes Avenue, Halifax, pleaded guilty to all charges and was immediately imprisoned for 10 months and ordered to pay victim compensation.


Company Fined and Ordered to Compensate Victims


At the same hearing in March, Asbestos Boss Limited of Old Gloucester Street, London was found guilty of breaching regulations 8(1) and 11(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. They were also found guilty of one charge relating to the failure to comply with a prohibition notice at two separate addresses which prevented them from working with licensed asbestos materials. The company was also sentenced in relation to their conviction for fraud in relation to falsifying training certificates, a business insurance document and unauthorised use of trade association logos. This gave the impression that the business was credible and that workers were adequately trained and competent in relation to asbestos removal.

In the sentencing hearing held on 12 April, the company failed to attend or offer any mitigation and was sentenced to pay a fine of £80,000 as well as compensating the victims for the full costs of the work paid for at the time. This combined compensation order totalled around £10,000.


The Dangers of Asbestos


Asbestos Exposure and Its Effects


Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been widely used in various industries due to its high heat resistance, malleability, and low cost. However, exposure to asbestos fibres can cause serious health issues, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.


Safe Removal of Asbestos


Asbestos removal should only be carried out by licensed and trained professionals who understand the risks and how to control them. Proper safety measures, such as wearing protective equipment and using appropriate tools, must be employed to prevent the spread of asbestos fibres and reduce the risk of exposure.


The Importance of Checking for Asbestos Licenses and Certification


Verifying Credentials


Before hiring an asbestos removal company or individual, it is crucial to check their credentials. This includes verifying their license, membership with professional associations like ACAD, and ensuring that their workers have undergone the necessary training.


The Role of ACAD


ACAD, the Asbestos Control and Abatement Division, is a leading trade association representing the interests of companies involved in asbestos management services. By checking if a company is a member of ACAD, clients can have greater confidence in the quality and safety of the asbestos removal services provided.


Lessons Learned and Preventive Measures


The Importance of Due Diligence


The case of Asbestos Boss Limited serves as a reminder of the importance of conducting due diligence when hiring asbestos removal companies. Clients should always verify the credentials of the company and its workers and ensure they follow proper safety guidelines.


Raising Awareness About Asbestos Dangers


The HSE recently launched a campaign highlighting the dangers of asbestos and has guidance on the safe working with asbestos. By raising awareness about the risks associated with asbestos exposure and the importance of proper asbestos management, the HSE aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.


Conclusion


The prosecution and sentencing of Asbestos Boss Limited and its director, Daniel Luke Cockcroft, serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unlicensed and improperly trained asbestos removal companies. It is crucial for individuals and businesses to thoroughly vet the credentials of any asbestos removal service they hire, ensuring that both the company and its workers are licensed, trained, and adhere to the highest safety standards.

By promoting awareness of the risks associated with asbestos exposure and the importance of proper asbestos management, the HSE and organisations like ACAD can help protect the public from unscrupulous operators and prevent further incidents of unsafe asbestos removal.


by Adam Fox 9 April 2025
Asbestos and the Circular Economy: Why It's Time to Stop Burying the Problem Twenty-five years after asbestos was banned in the UK, we’re still digging a hole—literally and metaphorically. Every day, across the country, asbestos waste is double-bagged, labelled, loaded into skips, and driven to landfill, where it will sit indefinitely, taking up valuable space, creating ongoing liability, and adding to our already bloated environmental burden. And yet, 2025 presents a different path. A smarter one. One that replaces disposal with repurposing, and turns a dangerous waste product into a useful, circular resource. The technology exists. So the question we should be asking isn’t “Can we recycle asbestos?” It’s “Why the hell aren’t we doing it already?” Landfill is Failing Us—But We’re Still Relying On It Let’s start with the basics. There are still over 1.5 million buildings in the UK that contain asbestos, most of them now approaching the end of their useful life. As these structures age or undergo refurbishment, the volume of asbestos waste is only going to increase. Right now, we handle that waste the same way we did decades ago: • Identify it • Remove it (usually under fully controlled conditions) • Seal it in heavy-duty plastic • Drive it to landfill • Bury it • Forget about it Except we don’t forget, do we? Because landfill space is running out. Disposal costs are going up. And the environmental cost? We’re only just starting to count it. There’s a Better Way—and It Already Works Here’s what most duty holders don’t realise: We no longer have to bury asbestos. Thanks to recent advances in thermal treatment technology, we now have a method that can safely denature asbestos, breaking down its fibrous structure and rendering it harmless. Companies like Thermal Recycling in the UK are already proving this is not science fiction. They’re using high temperatures to transform asbestos cement products—like corrugated roofing sheets—into an inert ceramic material that’s completely safe. But here's the best bit: That material isn’t just neutral. It’s useful. It can be crushed and graded into aggregate, which can be used in road construction, paving, and concrete mixes. Instead of creating a waste burden for the next generation, we’re creating a valuable, low-carbon building material. Why Aggregate Matters in the Carbon Equation The production of virgin aggregates—through mining and quarrying—is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. It contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions and destroys natural landscapes. So by replacing some of that demand with recycled aggregate from denatured asbestos, we: • Cut carbon emissions • Reduce dependence on extraction • Shrink the environmental footprint of infrastructure projects • Extend the life of quarries and reduce waste tonnage That’s not just a win for waste management. That’s a win for the entire construction supply chain. And yet most people in the industry don’t even know it’s possible. Why Are We Still Burying What Could Be Reused? As someone who’s worked in asbestos compliance for over 20 years—and now helps business leaders manage risk more intelligently—I’ve seen the same patterns play out time and time again: • “We’ll just do what we’ve always done.” • “This project’s tight on budget—landfill’s cheaper, right?” • “We’re just following the usual route—it’s less risky.” Let’s be honest. That mindset is outdated, short-sighted, and lazy. Cost may always be a factor, but the belief that landfill is “cheaper” needs to be challenged. Once you factor in: • Long-term environmental costs • Reputational risk • Rising disposal fees • And the public pressure for sustainable practices Thermal recycling is already starting to make sense. Especially when the output is something usable, not something buried. Licensed Contractors: You Don’t Get a Free Pass Either This isn’t just about clients or duty holders. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARC’s) have a moral obligation here too. And I say that not from a place of opinion—but from first-hand experience, day in and day out for over two decades. Too often, LARCs put profits over progress. They default to landfill because it’s faster, easier to price up, and keeps their margins clean. They know the alternatives exist—but they don’t explore them, let alone offer them to their clients. When you hold a licence from the HSE, you’re not just a business—you’re a guardian of public health. That comes with responsibility. Choosing the most sustainable, forward-thinking disposal route should be part of that. Especially when the technology is available, proven, and legal. It’s time for the industry to stop hiding behind what’s convenient and start leading from the front. A Moral Obligation for Everyone Involved Whether you’re a: • Local authority managing public buildings • Developer under pressure to go green • Commercial landlord looking to reduce liability • Or a licensed contractor with influence over disposal routes —you have a responsibility to look beyond the cheapest or fastest option. If there’s a proven, safe, and more sustainable way to manage asbestos, you have a duty to understand it before choosing to ignore it. Because let’s be honest: “We didn’t know” isn’t going to wash when the public starts asking why we’re still filling landfill sites with a problem we already have the technology to eliminate. So What Can You Do Differently? No one’s asking you to overhaul your entire waste strategy overnight. But you can—and should—start asking better questions: • “Is landfill our only option here?” • “Could this waste stream be recycled instead of buried?” • “What suppliers, contractors, or experts do we know who can help us explore this?” You don’t have to be a global pioneer. But if you’re in a position of responsibility, you should at least be aware that the old way isn’t the only way anymore. Final Thought: The Future Is Circular—Whether You Join In or Not Asbestos will be with us for decades to come. That’s a fact. But how we handle it—and whether we choose to keep repeating the past or do something smarter—is up to us. Thermal recycling and other denaturing technologies offer a rare opportunity to do something that actually moves the industry forward. Not just ticking the compliance box. Not just burying the problem. But solving it—and turning it into something useful in the process. If you’re involved in asbestos management in even the slightest way, ask yourself this: Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
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