R J Baker & Co Limited of Bainton Heights Farm has been fined 3,000 and was ordered to pay the same amount in legal costs at Bridlington Magistrates’ Court after an accident involving one of its workers and a telehandler machine. On the 14th May 2008, a 57-year-old worker, who does not wish to be named, was clearing gutters on a farm building.
The worker’s colleague was left in charge of operating the telehandler machine, which was used to provide access to the guttering; however, the 57-year-old farm worker had been using a conventional ladder initially before his colleague manoeuvred the telehandler towards him. After the worker had climbed into the telehandler, the operator accidentally tilted the bucket downwards, which sent the worker plummeting to the ground beneath.
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.
The present case does not serve as a good example of an accident that could have been avoided and in such cases it would be a good idea to speak to 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.
The agriculture industry has turned into Britain’s most hazardous working environments following information released recently by the Health and Safety Executive, finding that accident claims are on the rise in the UK.
The misuse of telehandlers remains a serious health and safety issue affecting British farms, as demonstrated in the present case. Appearing in court, R J Baker & Co Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
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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