Slope mowers to be put through their paces

BALI is organising a 'Coping With Slopes' event following the a case involving Cirencester Town Council who recently pleaded guilty and paid a hefty fine following an accident with a mower working on a roadside bank,

'Coping with Slopes' is being organised by BALI and the National Contractors Forum. The one-day event will take place on 22 October between 10.00am and 2.00pm at Draycote Water, Warwickshire.

A range of specialised machinery is due to be tested, whilst product manufacturers and technical specialists, including from the HSE, will be available to share knowledge at the Severn Trent water authority's site.

Severn Trent has granted BALI access to the large reservoir embankments at Draycote Water, one of the largest reservoirs in the Midlands. The picturesque site boasts some considerable grass embankments and will be a testing ground for a range of specialised machinery. This will be a great opportunity for grounds maintenance and landscape contractors to benchmark a range of machinery.

Cirencester Town Council paid a total of £29,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act on 4 August, following the accident. The groundsman suffered four fractured ribs and bruising when his ride-on mower overturned. The court heard that model he used was not suitable on slopes of more than 25 degrees.

The event is open to all, with reduced price tickets for BALI members.

Event entry for BALI members: £6 per person. Non-BALI members: £10 per person

Further details from Emily Feeney - emily.feeney@bali.org.uk