LOCHALINE QUARTZ SAND LTD FINED £150,000 AFTER ELECTRICIAN KILLED

Lochaline Quartz Sand Ltd has been fined £150,000 following the death of electrician Colin Thwaites at its underground mine on the Morvern Peninsula. Thwaites died in October 2024 when he was struck by fan blades whilst working at the facility. The company faced legal action in relation to the incident and has now received the financial penalty. The fine reflects breaches identified during the investigation into the workplace fatality.

The underground mine operated by Lochaline Quartz Sand Ltd extracts quartz sand from beneath the Morvern Peninsula in Scotland. Thwaites was carrying out electrical work at the site when the accident occurred. The circumstances surrounding contact with the fan blades form the basis of the charges brought against the company. Health and safety authorities investigated the incident thoroughly before enforcement action was taken.

The case underscores the application of workplace safety legislation in mining operations. Companies operating underground extraction sites face strict obligations to protect workers from hazardous equipment and processes. Lochaline Quartz Sand Ltd's fine represents a significant penalty for the breach of its health and safety duties. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks present in underground mining environments and the importance of equipment safeguards and worker protection measures.