East Anglia business told to protect young employees

Posted 14/10/2009

Companies in East Anglia have been urged to take steps to prevent young employees suffering a personal injury at work.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), employers are required to give young workers adequate training and supervision on their premises.

However, Watton-based company Bowes of Norfolk was this week fined £25,000 plus costs for an incident in which a teenage employee suffered an electric shock at a farm near Thetford.

The employee had to have his little toe and part of his big toe amputated after he came into contact with an overhead power line and he now has permanent scars on his legs.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), this case highlights how important it is for young and vulnerable members of staff to be properly looked after.

“It is vital that they are adequately supervised,” said HSE inspector Joanne Williams.

“Too many people are dying in needless accidents on British farms.”

This comes shortly after Lawrence Murray of the HSE described farming and agriculture as one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work.

He advised farmers to take “simple steps” to improve safety and prevent a personal injury or death in their workplace.