Quarry failed to protect workers

A County Durham quarry firm has been fined after lapses in health and safety contributed to a worker contracting a potentially fatal lung disease.

Dunhouse Quarry Ltd, of Staindrop, was fined £3,750, after admitting breaching hazardous substance controls.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the breaches led to an employee contracting silicosis from stone dust.

Bishop Auckland magistrates heard on Friday the breaches were discovered during an unannounced site visit.

Premature death

The HSE has now issued a warning to quarrying companies and stonemasons of the risk workers face of contracting silicosis.

HSE inspector Andrea Robbins said: "Breathing in the very fine dust of crystalline silica can lead to the development of silicosis, which in its most acute form can result in premature death.

"It is vital employers monitor dust levels to assess the risk of exposure and that they put control measures in place to reduce the levels to which employees are exposed.

"What makes this particular situation worse is that the company had previously commissioned the services of an external company to carry out atmospheric monitoring of dust levels, but did nothing to act upon the findings."

The company, which was also ordered to pay costs of £8,177, said it had now taken measures to accurately monitor dust levels at the plant.