Why it matters: The Health and Safety Executive prosecution highlights serious safety failings at the Dales Road workshop, leading to one employee being hospitalised for 12 weeks.
The details: On 17 June 2022, Steven Constable and Struan Dunsmore were preparing to lift a slab onto a saw bed when three quartz stone slabs fell from a stillage onto them.
Mr Constable, 54, sustained multiple fractures to his:
Right femur
Hip
Left tibia
Foot
The injuries have left him unable to work for over two years and required multiple operations during his 12-week hospital stay.
His colleague, Mr Dunsmore, 31, sustained bruising and required time off work following the incident.
What went wrong: The HSE investigation found:
The handling and storage of slabs was unsafe
The material was not properly secured
The restraint system was inadequate for larger materials
The company failed to accurately report the injuries under RIDDOR regulations
The outcome: Bespoke Stone pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. At Peterborough Magistrates' Court on 17 January 2025, the company was:
Fined £6,500
Ordered to pay £4,875.40 in costs
What they're saying: HSE inspector Jessica Flint said: "Bespoke Stone Ltd failed to grasp the importance of safe handling and storage of stone materials in stone masonry, with employees regularly working within the hazard zone of slabs during operations within its workshop.
"The CCTV footage makes clear how serious this incident was, with one of the employees sustaining a number of horrific injuries which have affected his ability to return to work. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards."
The bottom line: HSE guidance states slabs should always remain restrained during loading/unloading operations to prevent incidents like this from occurring. This case demonstrates the severe consequences of failing to follow these safety requirements.
