Farm contractor fined for breach of safety regulations

Posted 18/07/2011

A farm company in Wiltshire may have required the help of some solicitors recently after it was prosecuted over a health and safety issue.

Individuals working at Manor Farm Grittleton in Chippenham were put at risk by agricultural contractor Ashton Farms, of Steeple Ashton in Trowbridge, during a project to renovate a barn.

In October 2010, the company used an unvalidated, homemade running line and harness system to carry out the work, which Chippenham Magistrates Court heard would have been unlikely to prevent injury if an employee had fallen.

Furthermore, two people were fitting a roof to an outbuilding without any nets or edge protection to prevent them from slipping.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Annette Walker said this type of activity “poses a risk of serious injury and even death” and Ashton Farms “should have ensured they had suitable protection in place whilst renovating the barn”.

This comes after Aviva called for farmers to reassess their working practices in a bid to reduce accidents and potential personal injury claims.