Company fined £50,000 after worker crushed to death by granite slabs

A stone supplier has been fined over £50,000 after a worker was killed when granite slabs fell from a lorry loader at the company’s premises in Larkhall.

Steven White was offloading granite slabs at Blyth Marble Limited when two, with a combined weight of over 900 kilograms, fell and struck him on September 4, 2024.

The 61-year-old died from his injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that vertical safety posts, which provide a physical barrier to prevent slabs from toppling, had been removed during the offloading operation.

Their report outlined that, while it was accepted custom and practice for the posts to remain fitted during offloading, it was not specified in the company’s Safe System of Work.

Blyth Marble has been fined following the incident HSE

Mr White was found to have been working alone on the lorry loader, whereas the Safe System of Work specified that two people should be involved in offloading operations.

Blyth Marble Limited, based in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The company was fined £50,000 with a victim surcharge of £3,750 at Hamilton Sheriff Court on January 28.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE principal inspector Martin McMahon said: “This was a tragic incident which could have been prevented had the company made sure the appropriate safety measures were in place and followed during offloading operations.

“Employers must ensure that safe systems of work are not only in place but are sufficiently detailed to address all foreseeable risks, including the requirement for safety equipment to remain in position and for adequate personnel to be present during hazardous operations.

“Our thoughts remain with Steven White’s loved ones, and we hope today’s verdict offers them a measure of closure.”