Farmer fined after delivery driver electrocuted
© Rex A Wiltshire farmer has been fined £20,000 after a HGV driver was electrocuted to death while delivering cattle feed to his farm.
Tony Slade, the farm owner, admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act, following the incident on 2 November 2012.
Lorry driver Nigel Fox was killed when his lorry hit an overhead power line at Chestnut tree Farm in Sutton Mandeville, Wiltshire.
See also: Flower farm fined £50k over worker’s power line death
The 11,000-volt overhead power line crossed the farmyard close to the feed silo, which the cattle feed was intended to fill.
Mr Fox died at the scene and was found by an electricity supply network engineer who was sent out to locate the fault after the incident.
In addition to the £20,000 fine, Mr Slade has also been ordered to pay £5,609 costs at Salisbury Magistrates Court.
HSE Inspector Andy Shaw warned other farmers to be aware of the risk that comes working closely to power lines on farms.
He highlighted it was part of the farmer or land owner’s responsibility to ensure they eliminate the hazard or put measures in place to reduce the risk of overhead power cables.
“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,” he said.
Mr Shaw added 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.
“Working close to power lines requires people to identify the danger and identify the steps they need to take to avoid any problems,” he said.
Find out more information on working safely near overhead electricity power lines