Peterborough Magistrates’ Court heard that the man was driving a large tractor when he stopped to talk to a farm employee.
Once the conversation has finished, he ran the victim over with the rear offside track as he drove away.
The victim suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the incident, including multiple fractures and nerve damage.
An HSE investigation found the driver had failed to make reasonable checks to ensure no one was in danger before he moved the tractor.
The man pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £1,200, ordered to pay costs of £2000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of unsafe transport practices on farm for all parties involved.
The safety of workplace transport can be greatly increased – and the risk of such incidents greatly reduced – by following the Safe Stop procedure:
- Engage handbrake
- Controls in neutral
- Switch off engine (or turn off power)
- Remove key (or lock-off the power supply)
The four simple steps should be taken before leaving the driver’s seat/operating position; when anyone else approaches; and before anyone carries out maintenance, adjustments or deals with a blockage.
The NFU produces free Safe Stop sticker packs for use on farm vehicles to remind workers of the procedure – if you would like to order some, please contact aWFuLmx1ZGdhdGVAbmZ1Lm9yZy51aw==.
For more information on safe workplace transport, including how to ensure the vehicle, driver and site are safe, please visit the HSE website.