Two firms have admitted safety failings after a controlled explosion at a quarry sent rocks flying on to a public road.
The incident took place at Brayford Quarry in Brayford, on 24 February 2011. Site operator Hanson Quarry Products Europe Ltd contracted WCD Sleeman and Sons Ltd to carry out the explosion.
A worker stopped traffic on a road 200 metres away from the detonation area. But when the blast took place, rocks flew on to the road and struck two of the stationary vehicles. The bonnet of one car was dented and the other vehicle sustained a smashed window.
The workman, who was acting as a sentry on the road during the explosion, heard the rocks coming through the trees and took cover next to a large van, which was waiting on the road, and covered his head with his stop-go board. The driver of the van saw pieces of rock fly over the workman.
The HSE investigated the incident and discovered an 8.5kg piece of rock on the other side of the road. Six smaller pieces of rock were also recovered from the road.
HSE inspector of quarries Mike Tetley said: “Blasting operations at quarries are inherently high risk, and these risks must be rigorously controlled by good explosives engineering practice and in accordance with legal requirements.
“Where contractors are involved it is important that appropriate levels of communication and cooperation are in place. It’s totally unacceptable for members of the public and employees to be put at serious risk of being hit by rocks, as happened here in an entirely preventable incident.”
Hanson Quarry Products Europe appeared at Barnstaple Magistrates’ Court on 24 July and pleaded guilty to breaching the Quarries Regulations 1999. It was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £14,000 in costs.
WCD Sleeman and Sons appeared at the same hearing and pleaded guilty to breaching s3(1) of the HSWA 1974. It was also fined £20,000 and was ordered to pay £17,000 towards costs.
The Safety Conversation with SHP (previously the Safety and Health Podcast) aims to bring you the latest news, insights and legislation updates in the form of interviews, discussions and panel debates from leading figures within the profession.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts, subscribe and join the conversation today!
