Bassetlaw District Council has been fined £50,000 following a workplace accident in which a grounds maintenance worker suffered cracked ribs after falling from a churchyard boundary wall.
Incident Details and Safety Failings
The worker fell at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in North Wheatley on 30 May 2024 while operating a ride-on lawnmower on steep terrain. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the council had failed to carry out adequate risk assessments for machinery use on slopes and did not provide sufficient training for working near embankments.
Serious Safety Breach on Steep Embankment
The employee lost control of the mower, sliding approximately 2.3 metres from the retaining wall onto the adjacent public footpath and road at the junction of Church Hill and Church Street. There were no protective barriers in place to prevent falls, a clear breach of safety standards set by the British Association of Landscape Industries.
Court Case and Penalties
Bassetlaw District Council pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 by placing the employee and members of the public at risk. Nottingham Magistrates’ Court imposed a £50,000 fine, with an additional £5,138 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
“We will not hesitate to act against those who fail to keep people safe and healthy at work,” said the HSE.
Council’s Response and Safety Investment
The injured worker has returned to duties. Council Chief Executive David Armiger confirmed full cooperation with the HSE and pledged a comprehensive overhaul of health and safety practices. The council will invest £350,000 in safety training over the coming years and appoint new safety team members to prevent future incidents.
Related Coverage
- Workplace Safety: How UK Councils Are Tackling Health Risks on Public Grounds
- Ride-On Mower Accidents in the UK: Preventing Falls and Injuries
- Health and Safety at Work Act: Key Cases and Enforcement in 2024
