Horse trainer in Court
A horse trainer in North Yorkshire is being prosecuted for health and safety breaches. The owner of the stables is considered at fault for a worker who fell through the stable skylight into one of the stable blocks. The worker was employed at the company for 26 years. He was asked to cut down some trees near the stables as renovation work was planned.
After health and safety audits it was determined that a breach in the safety and health act occurred. The worker went onto the stable roof with a chainsaw to cut away the trees. As he was sawing through a branch he slipped on leaves that were on the roof. It caused his fall through the skylight where he landed on the floor below. The fall resulted in a fractured rib, punctured lung, and break in both shoulder blades.
The injured worker was unable to return to work for up to 16 months after the accident due to the injuries he suffered. The situation is said to have put the worker at unacceptable risk. It was possible the worker could have lost his life, rather than just his livelihood. The worker did use a chainsaw several times on the property, but was never officially trained. He was also not trained to work at heights. The protective equipment and gear was not suitable. This is why the owner of the stable is being prosecuted on the breach of safety and health after the incident.
