Self-Employed Worker Fined for Workplace Accident

A self-employed furniture maker has been fined after an incident in which a tree he was cutting down struck a farm worker.

Colin Norgate, from Hampshire, is a sole trader and the designer and creator of high gloss furniture. Colin was cutting down a tree on Manor Farm in Hampshire, where he rented a unit, when the tree fell and struck John Bailey, a labourer at the farm.

John suffered serious injuries to his left leg that resulted in above the knee amputation.

The Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident and found that Colin had failed to ensure a safe perimeter was in place to prevent other individuals from entering the area around the tree.

After pleading guilty to beaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and Regulation 9(1) of the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Colin Norgate, of Manor Farm, Langrish, Petersfield, Hampshire was fined £830. He was also ordered to pay costs of £2,349.

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Source: Health & Safety Executive