Supervisor prosecuted after recklessly exposing himself to asbestos

The HSE has prosecuted the supervisor of an asbestos removal job after discovering he was working without wearing his protective equipment.

The work was being carried out to remove asbestos from a school boiler house in Cantebury. And while the inspector saw a second worker wearing the correct gear, the supervisor had no respiratory mask and his overalls hood down. The man in question, 23-year-old Mr. Jack Conn, later admitted he had the required equipment with him and had taken the appropriate training, but clearly failed to put it to good use.

The prosecution saw Mr Conn admit a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £1,000 as well as being told to pay £1,500 towards costs.

The HSE Inspector who discovered Mr Conn being reckless, Nicola Wellard, commented:

"It really does beggar belief that a trained supervisor with a licensed company, fully aware of the very real dangers associated with exposure to asbestos, could then casually disregard those dangers and work in a contaminated environment ... I hope he will not come to regret it in years ahead."

Source: HSE