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Employers are being warned by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure they assess workplace risks properly and ensure that suitable protective equipment is not only provided but also worn. This follows HSE’s prosecution of Wildmoor Quarry Products following an incident in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire when a 30kg (66lb) lump of sandstone caused serious head injuries to a worker.
On 21st March 2007, a Wildmoor employee was working at a power-operated machine in the company’s Sandy Lane quarry when a lump of sandstone fell approximately 6 metres (20ft) and struck him on the head. The employee, who was not wearing head protection at the time of the incident, received serious head injuries.
Speaking after the case, HSE investigating inspector Ian Williamson said:
"It's a fundamental expectation that employees should work in safety. A quarry is one of the most dangerous environments and working there calls for vigilance by employers and workers alike. Assessing risks and implementing safe systems of work, particularly on moving machinery, often only requires simple control measures but, in this case, screens, which may have prevented the boulder from entering the machine, were not sufficiently maintained. It also obvious that workers should wear suitable head protection in an environment where there are large, heavy, materials swiftly moving along at high level."
Wildmoor Quarry Products Ltd was fined a total of £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,520 at Bromsgrove and Redditch Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 23rd April. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Mr Williamson continued:
"To prevent illness or injury it is vitally important that appropriate safety instructions are followed and enforced by employers who must regularly ensure that employees are properly wearing the correct safety clothing, observing safety instructions and armed with all necessary information, training and equipment."
Quarrying still remains one of the most dangerous industrys to work in. Since 2000 over 2,700 workers have suffered an injury reportable to HSE - 21 of those being fatal.
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