Farming firm fined over worker's injury

Bradford Magistrates' Court heard that in January last year, an employee of C K Hanson and Son lost his big toe and part of the heel of his left foot, broke all his toes and severely damaged the ankle of his right foot when he fell into a manure auger.

The HSE investigation found that the auger, a screw conveyor that takes the manure out of a battery hen house, had not been sufficiently guarded.

The court also heard that the doctor attending the incident became so concerned for the worker's welfare that firefighters seriously considered removing his foot as the only means of getting him out of the machine.

C K Hanson and Son, of Scholebrook Farm, Tong, Bradford, admitted breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and was fined 2,000 with 1,395 in costs.