Hamilton Farmers in Garvald Mains Farm, East Lothian, have been fined £20,000 at Haddington Sheriff Court. They were found guilty of breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for the death of their employee Colin Hill who was crushed to death when a one tonne concrete panel fell on him while at work.

Mr Hill, who was 49 at the time, had been working on a perimeter fence for the company when he was fatally injured at work. The Heath & Safety Executive were heavily critical of Hamilton Farmers for their failure to carryout a risk assessment before the work commenced.

In Scotland alone, there were five workers killed in farming accidents and a further 74 suffered serious personal injuries at work in 2008/09.

Last year, the HSE launched a campaign entitled 'Come Home Safe', that encouraged farmers to offer their support and commitment to come home safely from each day spent in the fields. The HSE also organises an annual programme of Safety and Health Awareness Days with practical demonstrations covering the everyday hazards that those who farm face across Scotland. The family of Mr Hill have called for a greater number of 'surprise' inspections of farms by the HSE as opposed to the scheduled visits with farmers being forewarned that officials will be arriving.

The lawyers at Redress have experience in assisting families of victims of fatal accidents and understand the first and most important thing that a family need and demand is answers. 
 
If you require the advice and assistance of Redress, contact us today on 0800 0287828.