Media Release: Hannaford convicted of Category 2 offence
30 October 2025
Today, Mr Benjamin Hannaford was convicted of a Category 2 offence by the ACT Industrial Court Magistrate. The Magistrate considered the offence warranted a fine of $10,000, the penalty was reduced to $8,000 due to a guilty plea. The Magistrate also imposed 100 hours of community service and 12 months good behaviour bond.
In July 2025, Mr Benjamin Hannaford, acting as an individual/sole trader, pleaded guilty to a charge under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
As part of the sentence the court was asked to take into account another s 32 charge arising out of the same facts, concerning other persons who were put at risk.
On Friday 3 June 2022 the defendant attended the workplace in Narrabundah, ACT. The defendant removed and replaced a garden shed roof made of asbestos containing sheets. The defendant placed the asbestos containing sheets beside the garden shed handling them in an unsafe manner. This conduct exposed themselves, workers, and others to the risk of asbestos fibres, with the danger escalating due to the disturbance of the material, representing a clear failure to meet legal safety obligations.
The defendant was not a licensed asbestos removalist and failed to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks in the handling of materials containing asbestos.
An estimated 4,000 Australians die annually from asbestos-related diseases. More than double the annual road toll. There is no safe level of exposure.
WHS Commissioner Jacqueline Agius said the failings by Mr Hannaford were inexcusable.
“This incident is yet another troubling example of a trader taking dangerous shortcuts in a high-risk situation, showing a blatant disregard for legal obligations and the safety of people in our community.
The selfish neglect shown for the safety of other workers and members of the public, including home occupants in their own home who could have been exposed to deadly asbestos fibres, is utterly unacceptable.
The ACT community is well versed on the dangers and risks associated with exposure to asbestos fibres, and WorkSafe ACT is committed to holding PCBUs to account when they do not meet their obligations.”
Commissioner Agius urges homeowners to ask the question to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“If your home was built before 1990 or even up to 2003 and renovations are taking place, make sure to ask whether the tradesperson has checked for asbestos in the areas being worked on.“
Ms Agius says that today’s outcome is yet another reminder that taking shortcuts with WHS is not an option.
Statement ends.
WorkSafe ACT Media team
0466 927 213
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