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The former Unicorn pub closed in 2019(Image: HSE)<\/p>\nThe company must pay more than \u00a310,000 in totalThe former Unicorn pub closed in 2019(Image: HSE)<\/p>\n
A Greater Manchester construction company has been fined after workers were put at risk of exposure to asbestos at a former pub.<\/p>\n
A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited was acting as the principal contractor during work at the old Unicorn Public House on Liverpool Road in Eccles<\/a>. The landmark pub has now been demolished after plans for 16 new houses on the site were approved in 2021.<\/a><\/p>\n During a routine inspection on May, 216 2022, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector discovered that 12sqm of asbestos insulation board (AIB) had been present in a dumb waiter lift shaft but had already been illegally removed by unknown individuals.<\/p>\n This led to the inspector issuing a prohibition notice stopping all work on site until an asbestos survey had been completed.<\/p>\n Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here<\/a><\/p>\n Previously, after noticing the pub door had been broken into, a site worker had entered the building, where they discovered what appeared to be asbestos debris in the area around the lift shaft.<\/p>\n The debris was later wrapped and removed by a licensed asbestos removal contractor.<\/p>\n According to the HSE, A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited failed to carry out a full asbestos survey to confirm that all asbestos-containing materials had been removed before allowing further construction work to take place.<\/p>\n The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(6) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It was fined \u00a35,360 and ordered to pay \u00a35,117 in costs at a hearing at Tameside<\/a> Magistrates\u2019 Court on 30 July 2025.<\/p>\n Speaking after the hearing, a HSE spokesperson said: \u201cThis was a serious incident and put those working in the building at risk of being exposed to the harmful effects of asbestos.<\/p>\n \u201cDuty holders are reminded of the need to review without delay an asbestos assessment if there has been a significant change in the premises to which the assessment relates.\u201d<\/p>\n HSE has two campaigns – \u201cAsbestos and You<\/a>\u201d and \u201cAsbestos Your Duty<\/a>\u201d – reminding tradespeople about the dangers of asbestos, the importance of working safely with it and to reach those responsible for the maintenance and repair of non-domestic buildings.<\/p>\n![\"A1](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JT_-MEN_07082025_03.jpg\")
The company was fined for putting workers at risk(Image: HSE)<\/p>\n