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Site supervisor fined after exposing schoolchildren to asbestos
Cristina Lago Deputy Editor
Barraclough was working as a site supervisor during the refurbishment of the kitchen at the Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Bristol (Image: HSE)
A construction site supervisor has been fined after he exposed primary school pupils and staff to asbestos during renovation work.
Adrian Barraclough, 54, was working as a site supervisor during the refurbishment of kitchen facilities at Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Bristol in May 2023.
He cut through asbestos insulating board using a circular saw, which led to asbestos fibres spreading throughout the school hall that was later used for two days by pupils and staff.
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An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Barraclough failed to follow his asbestos awareness training, including clear instructions not to disturb the wall.
Close-up of the asbestos-containing material (Image: HSE)
Following an asbestos survey, the wall was due to be checked by a licensed asbestos contractor before removal to clarify if asbestos was present.
Barraclough pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined £1,800 and ordered to pay a £720 victim surcharge and £4,000 in costs at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 12 June 2025.
HSE inspector Ian Whittles said: “Every year around 5,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases, often taking decades to develop symptoms.
"In this case, wholly unacceptable exposure to asbestos fibres occurred as a result of an individual employee not following instructions and procedures designed to prevent such occurrences.”
The November/December 2025 issue of Construction Management magazine is now available to read in digital format.
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