A construction site manager has received a suspended sentence after putting a bricklayer at risk of being exposed to asbestos.
Henry Bohlen asked Justin Jones to demolish fascia boards from the Monwel Hankinson Facility as part of a refurbishment of the building in 2009.
The 63-year-old from Barry instructed Mr Jones to carry out the work after failing to check the warnings a full site survey for asbestos had given, Newport Magistrates’ Court was told.
Mr Jones, from Pontypridd, used a hammer and chisel to break up the board into fragments, which generated plumes of dust, releasing asbestos fibres into the air.
Architects employed by Newport City Council, which partly runs the Monwel Hankinson facility, had specifically designed the refurbishment work to avoid disturbing any of the asbestos-containing materials. As site manager, Mr Bohlen was aware of this element of the refurbishment plan.
Mr Bohlen later informed Newport City Council that additional work was needed on the building and, rather than waiting for the authorisation or amended plans from the architects, he went ahead and told Mr Jones to carry out the work which led to him being exposed to the potentially deadly asbestos.
Henry Bohlen pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at work etc. Act 1974 and was given a suspended sentence of two months. He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service.
Medico-Legal News Source: Claims Management Magazine
