A BUSINESSMAN whose company received a significant fine for failing to protect its workers from inhaling toxic dust has appeared in court again.
Warmsworth Stone Limited’s Thurnscoe site, at Knabbs Hill Farm, came under scrutiny from Health and Safety Executive inspectors who issued a prohibition notice after they found exposure to a hazardous substance - respirable crystalline silica - had occurred with no effective control measures in place.
Silica - the biggest risk to construction workers after asbestos - can cause lung cancer and other serious respiratory diseases.
Director Simon Frith appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court in January where he submitted guilty pleas both personally and on the company’s behalf to three breaches - two relating to the Health and Safety at Work Act and one of the control of hazardous substances.
Mr Frith was given a £1,594 fine, told to pay a £425 surcharge and £3,782 in court costs - totalling £5,801 - while the firm received a further £24,064 fine.
However, just months later, HSE inspectors successfully applied to reopen the case having charged Mr Frith with contravening two health and safety regulations and failing to adhere to an improvement notice.
He appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court last week and admitted breaching the conditions where he was told to pay a total of £6,014.53.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a fresh warning to companies.
HSE deputy director Mike Calcutt said: “We will continue to work with industry stakeholders to raise awareness of managing the risks from exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
“It’s important that businesses act now to ensure they comply with the law and protect their workers from serious lung diseases.
“There’s a robust and well-established regulatory framework in place to protect workers from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances.
“We want employers and workers to make sure they are aware of the risks associated with the activities they do, and that’s why we are sending this reminder.
“HSE’s inspectors have often found poor management of control measures including water suppression, dust extraction, equipment maintenance, cleaning and RPE provision.
“Employers should ensure suitable control measures are properly used and maintained.”
