Reviews and Ratings for solicitor Elissa Thursfield, Llandudno

Thursday, 16 January 2014

Health and Safety at Work: £20K fine for overturned tractor


Health and Safety at Work: £20K fine for overturned tractor

Bristol City Council were recently fined due to health and safety failings after their park keeper suffered injuries when she was thrown from a tractor.

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) investigated the incident and found that the park keeper was driving the tractor in line with her duties towing a trailer, she braked on a slope causing a skid, she turned to avoid a fence but the tractor overturned and she was thrown from her seat.

The HSE prosecuted the Council finding that there was no seat belt or restraint and the Council failed to ensure she had received adequate training on the use of the tractor. The tractor had also been acquired without the normal procurement procedure and no supplier training was provided.

The park keeper suffered a broken pelvis and was off work for a year, she has since had to return to a job behind a desk and can no longer work as a park keeper.

The HSE considered the incident to avoidable and noted the employee suffered considerable pain and distress and unable to use her three years of training as a park keeper, she will also require further surgery.

Bristol City Council of City Hall, College Green, Bristol, was fined a total of £20,000 and ordered to pay £4,700 in costs after admitting two breaches of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Keep your employees safe at work and ensure that you have adequate systems in place to protect you and your business. HSE prosecutions take place in the criminal court system and can result in directors having a criminal record. In addition businesses could face civil claims from their employees for compensation. For further information about health and safety at work, or to discuss and accident at work please get in touch.
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