Construction Site Supervisor Fined for Exposing Bristol Primary School Pupils to Asbestos

Adrian Barraclough, 54, was supervising refurbishment works in the kitchen at Holy Family Catholic Primary School on 13 May 2023 when he used a circular saw to cut through an asbestos insulating board. This action released asbestos fibres into the surrounding area, contaminating the school hall, which remained in use for two days following the incident.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that Barraclough had failed to adhere to his asbestos awareness training. Despite being given explicit instructions not to disturb the wall in question, he went ahead without waiting for the results of a scheduled inspection by a licensed asbestos contractor. The inspection was meant to determine whether the wall contained asbestos, as identified in a prior asbestos survey.

Those working in construction, maintenance, demolition, and installation are particularly vulnerable and should be properly trained before starting any work that could disturb asbestos-containing materials.

At Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 12 June 2025, Barraclough, of Green Lane, Frome, 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, bringing the total penalty to £6,520.

HSE Inspector Ian Whittles commented:

“Every year, around 5,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases, which often take decades to develop. This case involved completely avoidable exposure due to one individual failing to follow basic safety procedures.”

The case was prosecuted by HSE enforcement lawyer Karen Park, with paralegal support from Imogen Issac.

A construction site supervisor has been fined after exposing staff and pupils at a Bristol primary school to asbestos during renovation work.