Penalty of £6,520 handed down to site manager whose failure exposed primary school children to asbestos
A construction site manager has been hit with a financial penalty of more than £6,500, due to his violation of health and safety law that exposed pupils of a primary school to asbestos.
Close up image of the asbestos containing material – Credit:Health and Safety Executive
How did this breach of the law come about?
54-year-old Adrian Barraclough was working as a site supervisor as the kitchen facilities at Bristol’s Holy Family Catholic Primary School were undergoing refurbishment.
While the works took place on 13th May 2023, he used a circular saw to cut through asbestos insulating board (AIB). His actions caused loose fibres of the now-banned substance to spread throughout the school hall, which was then used for two days by staff and pupils.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident. The regulator discovered that Mr Barraclough had failed to adhere to his asbestos awareness training, including clear instructions to avoid disturbance to the wall.
After an asbestos survey, it had been expected that a licensed asbestos contractor would check the wall prior to removal, to determine whether the notorious carcinogen was present.
“Wholly unacceptable exposure to asbestos fibres occurred”
Mr Barraclough, of Green Lane in Frome, admitted guilt to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Section 7(a).
On 12th June 2025 at Bristol Magistrates’ Court, he received a £1,800 fine, in addition to being ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £720, and costs of £4,000. These sums equated to a total financial penalty of £6,520.
Ian Whittles, inspector at the HSE, commented: “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.”
HSE enforcement lawyer Karen Park and paralegal Imogen Isaac were responsible for bringing this prosecution.
Are you doing enough to manage asbestos safely and in line with UK law?
The HSE runs campaigns to help draw tradespeople’s attention to the dangers of this long-outlawed material, and the importance of adopting safe working practices in relation to it.
The public body is also seeking to reach individuals and organisations that are responsible for maintaining and repairing non-domestic premises. Asbestos containing materials can sometimes still be present in such buildings – even now, a quarter-century after the material was banned in 1999.
To receive advice and guidance about asbestos that may be present at your own site, and to get a fast and free quote for any of our services, please contact Oracle Solutions today.