Salisbury Magistrates’ Court heard that self-employed HGV driver Nigel Fox was delivering cattle feed to Tony Slade’s Chestnut Tree Farm in Sutton Mandeville on 2 November 2012 when he raised the tipper body of his articulated lorry hitting the 11kV overhead power line which crossed the farmyard close to the feed silo which he was trying to fill. Mr Fox was electrocuted and died at the scene.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Slade had made no attempt to remove or reduce the serious risk associated with the power line crossing the yard, by diverting the cable or providing signs or barriers to warn visitors of its existence – despite its proximity to the cattle feed offloading point. He was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,609 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Andy Shaw said:
“Overhead power lines are dangerous, particularly where they cross traffic routes or frequently used work areas. Those in control of work premises, whether they are employers or self-employed, need to identify the risks to people working at or visiting their premises.
“Power cables present a very serious danger, with potential loss of life, and should be either moved, made safe by other means or, where this is not practical, clearly marked to warn people of the danger.
“Had Mr Slade had the power lines diverted, as he did after the incident, or even put in place measures to make people aware of the power lines, such as providing information, barriers or signs, this terrible incident would not have happened and Mr Fox would likely still be here today.”
The Farm Safety Partnership has collated guidance on safe deliveries, including a useful checklist. This can be found here: http://www.nfuonline.com/aic-safe-deliveries-to-farms-leaflet/
More information on the incident can be found on the HSE website: http://press.hse.gov.uk/2015/farmer-in-court-over-drivers-electrocution/