Council fined after worker hurt in lawnmower fall
HSEA council has been fined £50,000 after a worker was seriously injured when a ride-on lawnmower overturned in a church graveyard, causing them to fall more than 2m (6.6ft) on to the road below.
It happened while the Bassetlaw District Council employee was carrying out routine maintenance at St Peter and St Paul's Church in North Wheatley on 30 May 2024.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the worker lost control of the lawnmower as it slid down a steep bank towards a retaining wall, which both the worker and machine rolled over.
The employee sustained injuries including cracked ribs, the HSE added.
The council, which pleaded guilty to two health and safety offences at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday, said it had implemented all of the HSE's recommendations.
As well as the fine, the council was ordered to pay £5,138.85 in costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000.
HSEThe HSE said the authority "had not carried out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks posed to employees" on using ride-on lawnmowers on banks and slopes, and had not "provided adequate information, instruction or training to employees" for such use.
No measures were in place at the retaining wall to prevent a fall, it added.
Muir Finlay, HSE inspector, said: "This was a serious incident which could have been much worse.
"The fine imposed on the [council] should underline to all employers that work on banks and slopes should only be undertaken when a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks has been carried out and appropriate controls or training provided."
David Armiger, chief executive at Bassetlaw District Council, said: "We entered an early guilty plea to both charges and have fully cooperated with the HSE throughout their investigation and implemented all of their recommendations, including a more robust approach to health and safety measures, training, and working practices.
"Since the accident and the findings of the HSE investigation, we have considerably improved our approach to the management of risk and have been extremely proactive in implementing new and enhanced ways of working, with an ongoing commitment to investment in further change.
"We take our responsibilities very seriously and remain committed to a positive health and safety culture at the council, with awareness and compliance paramount.
"The employee who was involved in this accident returned to work several months ago and we continue to support them."
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