A FAMILY-OWNED Banffshire farming business has been fined after an employee sustained severe injuries following a fall from height.

This week, Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard how, on November 29, 2017, Alan Twatt (Potatoes) Limited, of Easter Cushnie Farm, asked an employee to install an electric cable through four barns at a height of approximately four metres – using a potato box lifted by a forklift was used as a working platform.

The worker subsequently fell approximately 2.5-3.5 metres and suffered a head injury as well as multiple fractures.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the potato box was inherently unsafe and should not have been used with the forklift truck in any circumstances. Further, the company had failed to follow their own procedures in relation to safe working at height.

Alan Twatt (Potatoes) Limited, registered at Commerce House, South Street, Elgin, Moray, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £40,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Norman Schouten said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by using the correct equipment, such as a scissor lift. A potato box or other makeshift equipment is never a suitable platform for working at height.”