Kent beef farm fined £12k for safety breaches

A farming business in Kent has been fined £12,000 for multiple, serious health and safety breaches.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Seymour Stevens Ltd, which operates a beef and arable business in Faversham, placed employees and others at risk over many years, in an attempt to cut costs.

HSE investigators carried out a site visit in November 2022.

See also: HSE under fire over decision to stop farm inspections

Bull pens were broken and rusty. and concerns were raised about the suitability of these to contain the animals.

The following month, a bull escape the farm and was brought back to site by police.

One of the barns, used as a through route by an employee, was deemed unsafe to enter due to its poor structural state.

A number of electrical faults were also identified within the same shed.

In another shed, the roof was insecurely fixed and was being weighed down with a straw bale in an attempt to prevent it from moving.

Roof sheeting was also in poor condition and in a state of disrepair – in some cases, even falling from buildings.

Seymour Stevens Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £4,830 costs at a hearing at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court last week.

In one shed, the roof was insecurely fixed and was being weighed down with a straw bale in an attempt to prevent it from moving © HSE

Common failings

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Peter Bruce said: “While agriculture accounts for just 1% of the working population, it accounts for about 20% of workplace fatalities.

“In the case at Seymour Stevens Ltd’s farm, there were failings to manage health and safety risks associated with animals and falling objects – two of the five most common causes of fatal injuries in the agriculture sector.”

Earlier in 2022, the company had been invited to attend paid-for “Preparing for inspection” courses, but had not taken up the offer.