Farm in death charges

DERWENT Valley cherry grower Reid Fruits has pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with its health and safety duty in the case of a worker who was killed by a tractor in 2015.

Retbe Chide Negga, 50, was crushed by a tractor on January 9, 2015, at an orchard at Plenty, and died in hospital of his injuries, according to the charge sheet lodged with the Hobart Magistrates Court.

Reid Fruits has pleaded not guilty to one count of failure to comply with health and safety duty.

Mr Negga’s tasks included picking up tubs of cherries and loading them into bins on a trailer that was towed by a tractor, the charge sheet says.

Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates SC alleges: THE trailer had been modified to include fabricated metal side steps and a fabricated platform at the front. MR Negga tried to step on the trailer as the tractor and trailer began to move after the tubs were loaded and lost balance. MR Negga’s left leg was trapped between the step and the tractor wheel and he was pulled under the tractor. REID Fruits failed to do a risk assessment of the trailer modifications. THE company failed in its safety obligations, by not providing adequate induction processes, not providing effective supervision of all people in the workplace, and not providing a way for tractor drivers to see if anyone was near the trailer or wheels before the tractor moved.

The case has journed to June 20. been ad-