Quarry owner prosecuted over insufficient security
December 18th 21:29 Health and Safety
Facilities management supervisors may wish to strengthen their focus on health and safety following the prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of a quarry owner for an incident in which a teenager was injured onsite.
A 15-year-old boy accessed Cornelly Quarry in Bridgend last year and was left with a damaged wrist, elbow and pelvis after falling 50 feet.
Owner Tarmac Ltd was fined £10,000 plus ordered to pay almost £7,000 in costs for having inadequate security measures in place to stop people from entering the area.
HSE inspector Alan Strawbridge issued a warning to the public about the hazards of quarries, but stated that site operators need to bear in mind they have a responsibility as well.
"Quarry owners are more than aware of the dangers posed by their sites and have a duty to take reasonable precautions to prevent trespassers gaining access," he remarked.
Carlton Main Brickworks was also recently prosecuted by the HSE after being found to have failed to provide suitable security for its Grimethorpe quarry, which resulted in the death of a girl who accessed the site with her friends.
