A Yorkshire-based stone production company has been fined for failing to protect workers from dangerous exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS). The breaches, which left employees vulnerable to life-threatening health conditions, led to a combined fine of nearly £20,000 for the company and its director.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) began investigating Warmsworth Stone Limited in May 2023. The company, based at Knabs Hill Farm in Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire, specialises in carved stone masonry using materials such as limestone, sandstone, granite and marble. During inspections, the HSE discovered significant failures, including insufficient control of airborne stone dust and inadequate welfare facilities.
Over several visits, inspectors issued seven improvement notices addressing health and safety concerns, the HSE said. But by September 2023, five of the notices remained unresolved, despite an extension granted after an August follow-up visit. The company’s inability to address these deficiencies led HSE to initiate prosecution.
The Risks of Silica Dust Exposure
Silica dust, a byproduct of cutting, chiselling and polishing stone, contains RCS particles that can cause debilitating and often fatal respiratory conditions, such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Without appropriate dust control measures, say experts, workers processing stone are at severe risk.
Despite the known dangers, Warmsworth Stone Limited failed to implement essential protective measures, said the HSE, such as installing exhaust ventilation systems. When such measures were eventually put in place, the HSE confirmed that they had not been tested or maintained as required by law.
“The company had shown reckless disregard of several health and safety issues including the assessment and control of respirable dust, and the company’s standard of health and safety management was far below what is required by health and safety law,” the HSE said in a statement.
Reckless Disregard for Worker Safety
Charlotte Bligh, the HSE inspector for the case, criticised Warmsworth Stone’s lack of basic health and safety practices.
“The company management responsible for health and safety were neither informed nor competent enough to carry out their role under the law,” she said. “Over time, the basic measures to secure the health of all on site had not been taken, there had been no attempt to assess health risks and existing control measures had not been properly maintained.”
Bligh said it was a “basic requirement” that Warmsworth Stone provide adequate protection for its employees but it had failed to. “HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those that fail to comply with the requirements of enforcement notices,” she said.
Legal Consequences for the Company and Its Director
Warmsworth Stone pleaded guilty to multiple breaches of health and safety regulations, including failing to comply with improvement notices and neglecting to control exposure to hazardous substances. The company was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay £4,064 in costs.
Company director Simon Frith also admitted to neglecting his responsibilities under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. He was fined £1,062 and ordered to pay costs of £3,782.
The case serves as a reminder to employers in industries where workers are exposed to hazardous substances. Employers are legally required to assess and control risks effectively, including providing proper ventilation, protective equipment and regular maintenance. Companies are encouraged to seek guidance from the HSE on how to protect their workers from silica dust exposure and other workplace hazards.