Watermouth Castle fined after employee maimed by hedge trimmer

The worker had to undergo surgery

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A visitor attraction business in North Devon has been fined for health and safety failings which left an employee requiring surgery, following a successful prosecution by North Devon Council. Watermouth Castle Estates pleaded guilty to an offence relating to a health and safety breach at a hearing on 8 March at Exeter Combined Court Centre. The breach related to an incident which occurred on 3 December 2021 where an employee was tasked with cutting a hedge at the premises.

The worker cut the lower part of the hedge from the ground using a petrol hedge trimmer. Although not legally required, the hedge trimmer did not have an immediate safety cut-out feature to stop the blades once the individual removed their hand from the trigger mechanism. After cutting the lower section, the employee was then asked to get into a metal cage which was attached to a telehandler to cut the higher part of the hedge. In the process, the cage fell from the telehandler to the floor with their employee inside it. The still-operating hedge cutter fell towards the employee, who pushed the tool away with their hand to avoid more serious injuries. The individual received numerous injuries to his hand as a result of the incident. He had to undergo surgery at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to repair fingertips and nail beds and required ongoing physiotherapy.

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Watermouth Castle Estates was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £6464.80 and a £190 victim surcharge. It was noted that the defendant had no previous convictions, acknowledged their guilt and had taken steps since the accident to improve health and safety procedures at Watermouth Castle.

Chair of North Devon Council's licensing and community safety committee, Councillor Louisa York, says: "This incident was preventable and has unfortunately resulted in an employee suffering numerous injuries."

She reminded businesses in North Devon to invest in health and safety, although this was not the finding of the court. She continued: "This will ensure the welfare of your staff and reduce the costs that result from accidents at work such as this one. Employers should make sure they properly assess risks and apply effective control measures to minimise risks and reduce the likelihood of incidents such as these from happening.

North Devon Council investigates health and safety complaints about workplaces in North Devon and reportable accidents, dangerous incidents and reportable diseases. For more information, visit the council's health and safety at work page.