An historic private school has been fined £100,000 over health and safety failings after one of its stonemasons developed a potentially fatal lung disease.
The 55-year-old from West Derby, was employed by Stonyhurst College for almost 12 years where he was exposed to high levels of silica dust.
He was diagnosed with silicosis in July 2011 - four months before being made redundant by the college.
Stonyhurst was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive after an investigation found that he and other stonemasons may have been exposed to more than 80 times the daily limit for silica dust.
The HSE investigation found Stonyhurst failed to take any measures to monitor or reduce the exposure of workers to silica dust.
Even after the college was notified that one of the stonemasons has developed silicosis in July 2011, it failed to take any action to monitor exposure levels until November 2011.
The court heard that stonemason with silicosis has a reduced lung function, suffered from breathlessness and could no longer continue with his profession.
A spokesman for the college said, "Stonyhurst College pleaded guilty to this single offence at the outset of these proceedings. It has indicated its remorse. We accept the Judgement of the Court."
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