A farm owner has been fined £6,000 after the telehandler she was using to move silage bales crushed a neighbour, causing serious injury.
The neighbour was cutting the plastic wrapping off the final bale, which was still being held by the grab of the telehandler. When the farm owner moved the machine, the neighbour was pinned against a feed barrier, breaking his ribs and puncturing a lung. A Health and Safety Executive investigation into the incident, in Somerset, found that the farm owner had not been trained to use the telehandler. Although a trained worker would normally have driven the machine, he was unavailable that day.
HSE inspector Tony Makin said: “Telehandlers are very useful machines for farm work, but all too often they cause incidents when people use them without formal training. Because they can be so dangerous, it's a legal requirement that anyone using these machines is properly trained to do so."
Farm vehicle movements are on the increase at this time of year, and the NFU is urging members to ensure that employees are trained to drive the machinery being used and are familiar with all functions. A lack of training and experience can be as dangerous as a faulty. We've produced some practical guidance which should help to make your farm safer. The leaflet can be viewed here.
* The HSE has issued a safety alert about rotating arm bale wrappers, and in particular the pressure sensitive trip device located on the arm. It is currently investigating an incident in which a worker was fatally injured. Make sure you are aware of the latest advice, here.
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