Farmer's illegal tractor ride caught on camera

A farmer who allowed a child to illegally ride in his tractor has been caught in video footage, taken by his neighbour.

William Howard Walters (78) was spotted feeding cattle on his farm in South Wales while his grandchild was in the tractor cab with him.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had already issued Walters with a prohibition notice two months previously, in November 2020, for the same offence. He had admitted allowing his pre-teen grandchildren to ride in his tractor. His neighbour’s footage proved he had breached the terms of that notice.

At the time, Walters was also under a suspended prison sentence for unrelated environmental offences. He was fined £500 in August 2024 for breaching the terms of this sentence.

Appearing at Swansea Crown Court, Howard Walters admitted breaching section 33(1)(g) Health and Safety at Work Act (i.e. contravention of the prohibition notice). He was given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £3,000 in costs.

The HSE inspector who investigated the case commented that the law around children driving or riding in agricultural machinery is 'very clear'. He warned that children under the age of 13 are specifically prohibited from driving or riding on or in any agricultural machine, including the tractor cab.

Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in Britain, with on average around 29 people killed each year. HSE estimates 23 fatal injuries so far in the period covering 2023/4.

Being killed by vehicles remains the most significant cause of work-related fatality over the last five years.

Unfortunately, children are among those deaths with it often being the case that they are family members, with many killed by farm vehicles. Health and safety law concerning agriculture lays down clear rules around children on farms:

•           Children must not be allowed in the farm workplace (young children should enjoy outdoor space in a secure fenced area).

•           Any access to the farm workplace by children under 16, for example for education, or knowledge / experience, must be planned and fully supervised by an adult not engaged in any work activity.

•           Children under the age of 13 years are specifically prohibited from driving or riding on any agricultural machine. It is illegal.

•           Properly trained, instructed, and supervised older children may, in tightly controlled circumstances, be able to help with some straightforward low risk tasks.

Commenting on the case, HSE inspector Simon Breen said:

“The fact this farmer chose to ignore a prohibition notice for putting his grandchildren at risk is all the more staggering. We will take action against those who break the law. The solution is very simple, young children should never ride in agricultural vehicles.”

Visit BrAInbox today where you can find answers to questions like What is health and safety documentation?

• Chemical manufacturer fined after explosion on site demolishes laboratory
• What does USDAW v Tesco Stores Ltd mean for fire and re-hire
• IOSH survey reveals "epidemic" of long working hours
• Employers have a key role to play in the wellbeing of their workers