Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 16 June 2017, operator Daniel Robbins was operating a dumper at Great Bainden Farm, tipping material from excavation work alongside a barn at the top of an embankment.

As the operator came around the corner of the barn to tip a load, the dumper became stuck.

When he backed up slightly to gain traction, the dumper tipped over the edge of the embankment.

Daniel Robbins tried to jump clear, but the dumper landed upside down on top of him at the bottom of the embankment, trapping him and causing fractures to his right thigh, hip socket and vertebrae.

An HSE investigation found the Chalmers and Co (Sussex) Limited had failed to provide the operator with appropriate training for operating a dumper.

The investigation also found the site manager had not been provided with suitable training for managing a site and to ensure that those operating under him, were doing so safely.

Furthermore, no measures had been put into place to prevent dumpers from approaching or overrunning the edge of the embankment.

Chalmers and Co (Sussex) Limited of Prospect Farm, Brickhurst Lane, Laughton, pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined £26,667 with costs of £3,659.

Speaking after the hearing, inspector Stephen Green said: “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working.”