A playground installation and landscaping contractor has been fined £20,000 after failing to provide employees with adequate control measures to prevent exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS)

Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how on 23 March 2018, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an unannounced inspection of a site at Newbank Garden Centre, Bury Road, Radcliffe. The HSE inspector served a Prohibition Notice to stop two employees of Playscape Design Ltd, using a powered tool to cut flags without any respiratory protective equipment. This put the health of the employees at risk due to exposure to respirable crystalline silica, which is released when silica-containing materials are cut with a powered tool.