Housing Trust fined £140,000 for serious mower injury

Housing Trust serious mower injury: £140,000 fine

Health and Safety Executive v New Charter Housing Trust (2016) Manchester Crown Court, January 7

New Charter Housing Trust has been fined following an incident in which a worker suffered severe hand injuries.

Significant points of the case

• In March 2014 an employee of the Trust was using a ride-on mower with a grass box attached. The chute to the grass box became blocked because the grass was long and wet.

• The worker reached into the chute to clear a blockage, His hand came into contact with a rotating metal fan. He suffered serious injuries.

• He had not received training on how to use the mower and did not know that the fan continued to rotate for 30 seconds after the machine’s engine was switched off.

The Trust was fined £140,000 plus £70,000 costs for a breach of section 2, HSW Act, for failing to ensure the health and safety of employees.