Company speaks on tractor crash which left teenager injured

Tom Cutler got his leg trapped under a tractor after it overturned when he was driving.

The 16-year-old acted quickly and used his belt as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding before being found by passers-by who called for assistance.

He was then taken to hospital where he spent a month recovering.

At the time of the incident, Tom had been on paid work experience with Earlcoate Construction & Plant Hire Limited and was doing vehicle repair work at Folds Farm in the New Forest.

Tom Cutler (Image: The Health and Safety Executive)

A spokesperson for the company told the Journal: “The Company was prosecuted for a breach of S2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 arising out of an accident involving Tom Cutler on 3rd August 2021 .

"In 2021 Tom's father had asked Alister Cutts if Tom could do a period of  work experience as Tom was planning on doing a vehicle maintenance course at college.

"Because of his friendship with Tom's father Alister Cutts agreed to Tom doing work experience in the workshop at Folds Farm. Tom was asked to work with the three experienced fitters who were based in the workshop at the farm with a view to Tom observing their work and assisting on basic maintenance tasks.

"Tom had done work experience in the workshop in 2020 with the same three fitters without issue or incident. On the day of the accident, contrary to instructions and without permission, Tom drove a Ford tractor to a location away from the farm and in so doing the machine overturned which led to his injuries.

"At no stage was Tom involved in any of Earlcoate Construction's core business activities nor did he visit an Earlcoate site. The arrangement with Tom's father was informal ,farm based and allowed Tom to work whenever he wanted to.

"The company deeply regrets that Tom was injured at work. We hope that he makes a full recovery. It accepted in court  that an employee had left the keys of the machine in its ashtray rather than locked in a secure cupboard which was the safe system in place. In the words of the Judge this provided a temptation to Tom. The company  also accepts the supervision in place from the three fitters should have been more robust.

"The company fully accepts the findings of the Judge at the sentencing hearing on 17th October. It was pleased that the Judge recognised that Earlcoate  has a good safety record ,appropriate  safe contractor accreditations and that it submits its health and safety management systems and procedures  to independent audit.

"The Judge also  noted that the Company provided a high level of cooperation with the Health and Safety Executive's investigation. This approach is consistent with the Company's policy of learning from its mistakes and ensuring there can be no reoccurrence  in the future. The Judge accepted that the Company had  promptly reviewed and properly addressed the issues  arising from this case."

The case was heard at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on October 16.

The firm pleaded guilty to breaching a health and safety regulation and was ordered to pay a fine of £50,000 and costs of £9,223.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Nicola Pinckney said the incident could easily have been avoided.

She said there should have been a suitable risk assessment, instruction, and training to both Tom and those working with him.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards,” she added.