HSE | A Gloucestershire farmer has been fined after the shepherdess he employed was killed in a quad bike crash.
On 2 June 2023, Laura Simmons, 22, was found fatality injured after her overloaded quad bike overturned at Charlton Abbots farm. The HSE found the ATV had uneven tyre pressure, lack of baffles in the spray tank, an unstable load and no pre-use checks or training.
Prosecutor found Toby Baxter failed to provide suitable equipment, ensure pre-use checks, implement a filling system, train employees or assess risks. Baxter pleaded guilty to breaches of regulations 2(1) & 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £6,161.72 costs.
Inspector Emily O’Neill said the incident was avoidable with proper controls and this prosecution highlights ongoing agricultural safety concerns.
