Hertfordshire Film studio fined £6,000
Employees were exposed to asbestos risks after poor management of building works
A film studio in Hertfordshire has been fined £6,000 after failures in managing asbestos risks during maintenance works put employees at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.
The incident took place at Elstree Film Studios in Borehamwood on 22nd July 2022 when maintenance staff began removing acoustic wall panelling in preparation for door replacement works.
Employees were informed that no asbestos was present and were instructed to dismantle the panels using tools such as claw hammers and crowbars. However, work was immediately halted when an employee identified insulation suspected to contain asbestos. Testing later confirmed the substance as Amosite/Chrysotile and Crocidolite, which requires licensed removal.
H2 The findings of the investigation
The Health and Safety Executive conducted an investigation and discovered that the studio’s asbestos management and refurbishment surveys had not considered specific wall surfaces in areas where work was taking place.
As a result, the dismantled acoustic wall panelling was not included in safety assessments. HSE also found failures in training and insufficient emergency arrangements to respond to asbestos disturbance.
HSE guidance highlights that employers must not carry out work exposing anyone to asbestos without a thorough assessment and proper controls, often involving licensed contractors to manage the risks.
H2 Court outcome
Elstree Film Studios Limited, based in Borehamwood, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 5, 10, and 15 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The company received a £6,000 fine, was ordered to pay £6,790 in costs, and a £2,000 victim surcharge at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on 20th November 2025. The payments are required within seven days.
HSE Inspector Stephen Manley said: “Poor management of asbestos can lead to workers being exposed to the harmful effects of asbestos.
"Those in control of buildings must ensure they have a suitable assessment in place, and those undertaking intrusive work should be provided with appropriate information – which, for this type of work, will often require a specific localised survey by a competent person.”
The case was prosecuted by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski with support from Paralegal Officer Helen Hugo.