Grounds maintenance accident warning
HSE warn employers they should provide appropriate TRAINING for employees - with adequate, instructions so that operators can work safely
The risks involved in the use of equipment such as wood chippers was highlighted at the end of this summer 2009 when a Council grounds worker trapped his arm in the wood chipper he was using.
Although he was carrying out routine maintenance work he was subsequently airlifted by air ambulance when his arm became trapped.
This is not long after the HSE highlighted the need for care in the use of such equipment after another council worker was injured whilst using a ride on mower. This resulted in the prosecution of the council who were fined a total of £14,000, plus £3,000 compensation to the injured person and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £18,530.31.
The council pleaded guilty to charges under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 3(1) (a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
It was found that the council had failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment for the cutting of grass with a Ride on Mower. The venue consisted of a steep slope which the worker was working on and which was too steep for the mower he was using according to the manufactures guidelines.Subsequently he fell from the machine breaking two ribs and suffering a compressed lung.
There had previously been other incidents which should have highlighted problems to the council as the worker had not been given enough instruction or information before using the ride on mower.
An inspector for the HSE said that this incident was entirely avoidable. This incident sends out a clear message to employers to ensure that they carry out risk assessment, taking all site conditions into account, including steepness of slopes, before deciding which equipment is suitable. They should provide appropriate training for employees - with adequate, instructions so that operators can work safely.Between 2001 and 2008, HSE received reports of 3 fatal incidents and a further 33 people were seriously injured when mowing machines overturned (figures from HSE stats re ‘Accidents caused by grass cutters reported under RIDDOR 2001-2008’).
