May 18, 2022
On 1 August 2018, 53-year-old Janet McDonald, an employee of Yorkshire Dairy Goats, was struck by a reversing telescopic materials handler vehicle (telehandler) whilst working at St Helen’s Farm in York. She was seriously injured and air-lifted to Hull Royal Infirmary where she died later that day.
Investigating, the HSE found that when the employee had finished milking the goats, she walked through a corridor and stepped out into the path of the reversing telehandler. The driver was unable to see the worker so could not take action, and she was struck by the vehicle.
Yorkshire Dairy Goats of Seaton Ross, East Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £180,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Sarah Taylor said: “Pedestrians and vehicles need to be kept apart at all work sites and this includes agriculture. This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply segregating vehicles and pedestrians.”
This is valid as of 18th May 2022.
What you’ll get: Free downloads, advance notice of webinars, product updates and perks – all straight to your inbox.