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Health and safety charges for company after fatal incident on site

Pooil Vaaish Black Limestone accused of failing to discharge duty

Health and safety charges have been brought against a Manx granite and marble supplier after one of its employees was killed after an incident on site.

Pooil Vaaish Black Limestone, which is registered at Grenaby Studios in Ballabeg, has been accused of two offences – a health and safety breach and failing to discharge its duty towards its staff member.

Both accusations relate to a fatal incident, on Douglas Road in Ballasalla, on 21 June last year.

Emergency services were called just after 9am after employee Nathan Harvey became trapped by a slab of granite which he, and a colleague, were attempting to move from the yard to the workshop.

The 30-year-old, who was from St Johns, died at Noble's Hospital.

At Douglas Courthouse today (14 March) the prosecutor described the incident as ‘extremely unfortunate’.

He alleged that the company had failed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employee due to having an unsafe system of work.

No pleas were entered.

The case has been elevated to the Court of General Gaol Delivery where it will be heard on a date to be fixed.

 

Update: At Douglas Courthouse, in May 2023, the company was fined £60,000 after admitting the offences; you can find out more HERE.

At Douglas Courthouse on 7 February 2024 the Coroner of Inquests recorded a verdict of accidental death; you can find out more HERE.

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