Case prompts child safety warning

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a plea to farmers and crofters to do more to protect their loved ones following an accident on a Scottish farm nearly two years ago.

The call comes after an eight-year-old boy ended up with an amputated leg after falling from a vehicle on his parents’ farm in Kirkbean, Dumfries and Galloway.

The company which operates Airdrie Farm was prosecuted after the incident, which took place on October 14 2015.

Dumfries Sheriff Court heard that the boy fell from a sit-astride all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on the farm.

The ATV was being driven by an employee, with the boy sitting on the back, while the grass on the farm’s hen range was being cut.

An investigation by the HSE found that the driver of the vehicle had not been trained to use the ATV and the company had allowed the boy to accompany the worker on previous occasions.

A notification of contravention letter was sent to the company and an improvement notice was issued which the company complied with.

J Kelly and Sons, of Airdrie Farm, Kirkbean, pled guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) (b) of the Prevention of Accidents to Children in Agricultural Regulations 1998. The company was fined £10,000. After the hearing, HSE inspector Kim Munro said: “We’re calling on farmers to take responsibility and own the process of identifying, managing and preventing risk in their workplace.

“While it is important that children living on farms are given the opportunity to become involved and learn about the family business, it’s crucial they are protected from the dangers involved.”

“It’s crucial they are protected from the dangers involved. KIM MUNRO HSE INSPECTOR