Bridlington Magistrates’ Court have instructed R J Baker & Co Limited of Bainton Heights Farm to pay 3000 in legal costs and the same amount again in fines after an accident involving a telehandler machine and one of its workers. A 57 year old worker, who wishes to keep his identity secret, was clearing a farm buildings gutters on 14th May 2008.
The 57 year old farm worker had been using a standard ladder to clear out the guttering before the worker’s colleague, who had been left in charge of operating the telehandler, manoeuvred it towards him. After the worker climbed into the bucket of the telehandler to access the guttering, the operator tilted it downwards accidently, causing the worker to fall to the ground.
After falling several metres onto a concrete floor, the worker sustained a broken and dislocated right ankle, fractured shin and partially fractured heel. With such extensive leg injuries, the worker spent more than a month in hospital and required specialist treatment thereafter.
Although accidents do occur from time to time in circumstances that are not always avoidable, the present case serves no such example. In such circumstances it would be a good idea to contact a number of injury lawyers.
The Health and Safety Executive appealed to companies in the agriculture industry and other dangerous businesses to follow stricter safety guidelines when utilising telehandler machines after the number of accidents involving their use have increased in the past few years. The Health and Safety Executive asked farms specifically to follow the guidelines set out more closely in June of this year, however it would seem not all have paid attention.
Following figures recently released by the Health and Safety Executive it appears accident claims in agriculture are becoming increasingly more common in the UK. It indicates that agriculture is now Britain’s most dangerous industry with the most serious injuries and deaths being recorded.
As confirmed by the seriousness of this case, telehandlers remain a significant health and safety issue for many British farms. Appearing in court, R J Baker & Co Limited pleaded guilty to infringing the Work at Height Regulations 2005 – Regulation 6(3).
Health and Safety Executive inspector, Carol Downes, speaking after the case said: “This farm worker suffered horrific injuries following his fall at Bainton Heights Farm. He was extremely lucky to survive the fall and if he had landed head-first he could easily have been killed… This prosecution must serve as a strong reminder that farm machinery should only be used for its intended purpose”.
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