A quarry worker who spent the last years of his life raising awareness of respiratory health and the dangers of dust has posthumously helped an aggregates company win a prestigious industry safety award.

The reflections of Maurice Lambert, who died last year at the age of 80 from respiratory disease, featured in a poignant health and safety video produced by his sons Andrew and Mick, both employees of Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK at Dry Rigg Quarry in North Yorkshire.

Said Mick, who is site manager at Dry Rigg: “Dad thought it would send a strong message to the current workforce if they could understand the impact of living with silicosis and the effect this had on his lifestyle.”



Maurice developed the disease – caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust and characterised by inflammation and scarring of the lungs – during a long career in quarrying during a time when health and safety standards are not as rigorous as they are today. The video aims to show that even the most stringent standards were futile unless they are complied with, and people take responsibility for their own actions.

Dawn Edwards, head of HSQ&E at Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK commented: “This video is important because we are sticking our head above the parapet and talking about the potential dangers faced in our industry – dangers which, though more prevalent in the past, as still a concern today.

“Our message, though, is a positive one. It’s all about raising awareness, educating about standards an striving to improve those standards – not only at Lafarge but across the industry, ensuring we reach our goal of zero harm.”

The video won the company the Wimpey Minerals Trophy for occupational good health initiatives at the Mineral Products Association’s Health and Safety Awards, held last week in London. Mick and Andrew Lambert received individual recognition awards for the part they played in making the film.

Other award-winners at the event, which included a conference focusing on the issue of competence, as well as the awards ceremony itself, included Singleton Birch Ltd, which won the Sir Frank Davies Trophy for companies with fewer than 1000 employees, and John Wainwright and Co Ltd, which received the John Crabbe Memorial Trophy for outstanding excellence in health and safety.

IOSH immediate past president, Steve Granger, who was principal guest at the event, and presented the award to Dawn Edwards and the Lambert brothers, said: “It is a pleasure to be invited to witness such a positive approach and improvements to health and safety in a traditionally hazardous industry. The winners and all who took part clearly understand that when it comes down to business success workplace health and safety is a ‘must have’.”