A cement firm has been fined £200,000 after a quarry worker was permanently scared when he fell into the blades of a fan.

Welder Stuart Richardson lost an ear and needed bone plates and screws to his mouth after the incident at the Dunbar Works in East Lothian.

Mr Richardson fell into the uncovered electric fan as he was working on the motor of the quarry's stacker machine - which crushes limestone to make cement.

He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and later transferred to St Johns' Hospital in Livingston for specialist treatment.

A health and safety inspector said the firm failed to provide a sufficient system of work in place at the time or the delivery of training in risk assessment.

Lafarge Cement admitted two offences under health and safety laws at Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Sheriff Kenneth Maciver said: "I'm satisfied and I think the Health and Safety Executive is satisfied that steps have been taken."

But he added: "This was a wholly avoidable accident, that is accepted by the company quite properly and I was impressed by the way the company have made no excuses as is regularly the case."

Article created by Editor. (info@complyuk.co.uk)