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Farmers' machinery deaths 'accidental'
The deaths of two farmers who were involved in separate incidents with baling machinery were accidental, an inquest has ruled.
Staffordshire Coroner's Court heard that Anthony Mardling, 61, died after being pulled into baling machinery on August 29 2008 at a farm hear his home in Hilderstone, Stone. In the second incident, a month later at a farm near Abbots Bromley, 50-year-old Malcolm Bennett was fatally injured when he was struck by part of a baling machine.
The Health and Safety Executive said the accidents were unlikely to have happened if the farmers had followed the "safe stop" procedure, which involves checking that the handbrake is on, the controls are in neutral and the engine is off with the key removed.
Clive Brookes, HSE's Principal Inspector for Agriculture in Staffordshire, said: "Almost every week, someone dies in a needless farm accident. These accidents don't just destroy lives; they destroy whole families, and often their farms too.
"In these difficult financial times, farmers might be tempted to take risks to save money by cutting back on help or taking short cuts."
He urged farmers, their families and their helpers to be aware of the dangers around them and to work safely.
The deaths of two farmers who were involved in separate incidents with baling machinery were accidental, an inquest has ruled.
Staffordshire Coroner's Court heard that Anthony Mardling, 61, died after being pulled into baling machinery on August 29 2008 at a farm hear his home in Hilderstone, Stone. In the second incident, a month later at a farm near Abbots Bromley, 50-year-old Malcolm Bennett was fatally injured when he was struck by part of a baling machine.
The Health and Safety Executive said the accidents were unlikely to have happened if the farmers had followed the "safe stop" procedure, which involves checking that the handbrake is on, the controls are in neutral and the engine is off with the key removed.
Clive Brookes, HSE's Principal Inspector for Agriculture in Staffordshire, said: "Almost every week, someone dies in a needless farm accident. These accidents don't just destroy lives; they destroy whole families, and often their farms too.
"In these difficult financial times, farmers might be tempted to take risks to save money by cutting back on help or taking short cuts."
He urged farmers, their families and their helpers to be aware of the dangers around them and to work safely.
