A farm owner has appeared in court after a lorry driver was electrocuted delivering to his farm in Salisbury.
Tony Slade was fined a total of £20,000 and told to pay costs of £5,609 after he pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.
Salisbury Magistrates’ Court heard how, in November 2012, self-employed driver Nigel Fox was delivering some cattle feed to Mr Slade’s Chestnut Tree Farm in Sutton Mandeville. Mr Fox was raising the tipper body of the lorry when it struck the 11Kv overhead power line crossing over the farmyard. He was electrocuted and died at the scene.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into the incident, finding that Mr Slade had not made any attempts to remove or reduce the high risk of the power line which crossed the yard. He could have diverted the cable or provided barriers and signs to warn visitors that it was there. Worse, it was located very close the cattle feed offloading point, which posed a high risk.
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.”
Mr Fox’s widow, Sally Fox, told the HSE: “Nigel was known for being a diligent, responsible worker, a talented musician, and a much loved and respected member of the community. Many people have spoken about how they appreciated his kindness, his sense of humour, his contribution to his community, his music, and his expertise at rugby. He played 274 games for the Northampton Saints from 1973 to 1990.
“Besides myself, he left two children, Harriet and George, and a devoted sister, Jackie. For the family members most close to him, his untimely death has resulted in intense grief and a sense of loss that, over two years later, the family is still struggling to come to terms with.
“From my perspective as his wife, the stress, anxiety, and sadness have taken an unmistakable toll on my emotional and physical wellbeing. I have been unable to work, which has resulted in an unrecoverable career.
“Tragically, the entire family is painfully aware that Nigel will never see, hold, or play with his new granddaughter, Tilly, and he will never see his children married or walk his daughter down the aisle. His own ambition as a musician and his desire to start a new business and happy life with me, his wife, can no longer be fulfilled.”