Quarry operator fined £30k after vehicle accident

A quarry operator has been fined £30,000 after a 30-tonne wheel loader vehicle overturned when a ramp gave way.

Humberside Aggregates and Excavations Ltd of North Cave, East Yorkshire, was ordered to pay the fine after pleading guilty to three separate breaches of safety regulations. Beverly magistrates heard how an employee, who does not want to be named, was being trained as a wheel loader operator at North Cave Quarry.

On 30 October 2009 he was transporting sand when an access ramp gave way, causing the machine to overturn and plunge 16ft. The trainee suffered concussion, lost consciousness and was hospitalised for two days.

Following the hearing, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Richard Noble said: “Quarrying remains one of the most dangerous industries to work in. Since 2000, more than 3,000 workers have suffered an injury reportable to HSE and 24 people have been killed. Workplace transport is the biggest cause of fatal accidents within the industry, and that is why the industry and HSE work together in a joint advisory committee to introduce good practices for quarry operators.”