Stone company fined £50,000 over worker killed by falling slabs

A stone supplier has been fined £50,000 after a worker was crushed to death under granite slabs at the company's site in South Lanarkshire.

Steven White, 61, was unloading a lorry at Blyth Marble Limited in Larkhall in September 2024 when the two slabs - weighing 900kg (1,980lbs) - fell off the vehicle.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that vertical posts which should have stopped the slabs from toppling had been removed during the offloading operation.

The HSE also found White was working alone when he should have been in a team of two.

Blyth Marble, which is based in Lindrick in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

As well as the £50,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay a victim support surcharge of £3,750.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE principal inspector Martin McMahon said: "This was a tragic incident which could have been prevented had the company made sure the appropriate safety measures were in place and followed during offloading operations.

"Employers must ensure that safe systems of work are not only in place but are sufficiently detailed to address all foreseeable risks, including the requirement for safety equipment to remain in position and for adequate personnel to be present during hazardous operations.

"Our thoughts remain with Steven White's loved ones, and we hope today's verdict offers them a measure of closure."