The Health and Safety Executive says quarrying remains one of the most dangerous industries to work in following the death of an Angus pensioner.
D Geddes (Contractors) Ltd was fined £200,000 at Forfar Sheriff Court this week for serious safety failings.
Joseph Troup, 76, died when his 35-tonne dumper truck reversed over an inadequate stop block to the quarry floor below.
Mr Troup, of St Ninian’s Road, Padanaram, had worked for the company at its Hatton Mill Quarry in Kinnell, Froickheim, for 18 years when the incident occurred on July 26 2012.
Following the case, HSE inspector Richard Noble said: “The task of reversing a heavy vehicle to the stop block of an input hopper of a processing plant is an inherently dangerous one.
“D Geddes (Contractors) Ltd should have identified the risk of the vehicle reversing over the input hopper stop block and the driver being injured, or killed, and ensured measures were in place to prevent this from happening.
“There is established guidance available on safe tipping at quarries, which if followed, would have prevented this tragic incident.”
The HSE said quarrying remains one of the most dangerous industries to work in.
Since 2000 more than 3,500 workers have suffered an injury reportable to HSE, 31 of which were fatal.
Mr Troup had not been wearing a seatbelt and he was thrown from his seat as the vehicle fell backwards.
He died instantly as a result of head injuries.