Worktop manufacturer fined for repeat HSE breaches

Repeated failures to comply with a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforcement action have seen a Stockport-based stone worktop manufacturer fined £26,000.

Granite & Marble Shop Ltd repeatedly put its workers at risk, the HSE found when they visited the site in 2019 and again in 2021. Dangerous machinery had not been fitted with appropriate guards to protect workers from serious injury. Furthermore, Granite & Marble Shop Ltd failed to introduce daily checks to ensure guards were functioning and in place.

On the original visit, the HSE inspector observed the non-compliance and issued an enforcement action instructing the company to install guards and daily checks. When HSE returned to follow up in 2021, guards were broken or disabled.

Further investigation revealed that the company had failed to properly manage, supervise, and monitor the control measures that had been put in place, in order to ensure that guards were being used as intended.

Prosecuted at Manchester Magistrates Court in January 2024, The Granite & Marble Shop Ltd pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They were fined £26,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,708.

HSE Inspector Stephanie Simcock spoke after the hearing:

“This case highlights how critical it is that all employers make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.

“Machinery safety and supervision and monitoring is a must. We will prosecute if repeated breaches are found, regardless of whether there has been an incident.

“Despite an earlier intervention and advice being given, this company continued to fail in its duty to protect its employees.”

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