World Care (Wales) Limited has been fined £36,000 and ordered to pay £8,867 in costs after repeatedly failing to provide adequate welfare facilities and asbestos awareness training for its employees. The prosecution, heard at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court on 6 July 2026, highlighted systemic health and safety breaches at the North Wales waste and recycling site.
Workers at the Tre Marl Industrial Estate site were routinely tasked with sorting waste and recyclable materials by hand.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed a critical lack of basic welfare provisions, including warm running water, soap, and drying facilities, which are essential for employees to clean themselves after handling potentially hazardous materials. This negligence was particularly concerning given that asbestos had been brought onto the site on at least one occasion, yet the company failed to provide any asbestos awareness training to its workforce.
The HSE investigation uncovered a history of non-compliance by World Care (Wales) Limited. Over an 11-year period, the company had received multiple enforcement notices directly related to its welfare provisions and training deficiencies. Despite these repeated interventions, inspectors consistently found that the company failed to uphold the minimum health and safety standards required by law, demonstrating a persistent disregard for worker well-being.
HSE Inspector James Benton commented on the case, stating, “The health risks from exposure to material containing asbestos are well known, yet this company wasn’t providing the appropriate facilities for workers to protect themselves. Basic welfare provision is essential to ensure that employees can clean themselves at work, to help prevent exposure to harmful microorganisms. After being told of the risks, this company repeatedly failed to provide adequate welfare facilities such as soap and running water, and failed to provide asbestos awareness training to employees.” This lack of fundamental provisions exposed workers to unnecessary health risks from potential contaminants, including asbestos.
World Care (Wales) Limited, based in North Wales, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The court imposed the significant fine of £36,000, along with the order to pay £8,867 in costs. The company has opted to make these payments over a 16-month period. This prosecution underscores the HSE’s commitment to holding companies accountable for failing to meet their legal obligations to protect their employees.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
