Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), and after pleading guilty at Laganside Crown Court, Chris Auld of Chris Auld Tree Services was fined £27,500 for failing to ensure the safety of his employee Rodney Shirley who died during hedgerow cutting operations near Hillsborough on September 30, 2021.

The case arose following the death of the 36-year-old employee, Rodney Shirley, who was electrocuted as he was trimming a hedgerow at a residential property near Hillsborough.

Chris Auld Tree Services was engaged by the property owner to trim the hedgerow along the edge of the garden.

An 11kV electricity transmission power line was located immediately above the hedgerow.

Rodney Shirley died during a workplace incident near Hillsborough. His employer Chris Auld of Chris Auld Tree Services was fined £27,500 for failing to ensure the safety of his employee. Pic credit: HSENI

placeholder image — Rodney Shirley died during a workplace incident near Hillsborough. His employer Chris Auld of Chris Auld Tree Services was fined £27,500 for failing to ensure the safety of his employee. Pic credit: HSENI

Rodney Shirley was fatally electrocuted while he worked from a raised mobile working platform located underneath the powerline.

Speaking after the hearing, Kevin Campbell, an Inspector within HSENI’s Major Investigation Team, said: “This tragic incident resulted in a family man losing his life.

“It is vital that all tree surgeons and arboriculturists properly identify the location of overhead power lines before starting any work.”

Prosecutors in the Public Prosecution Service’s Fraud & Departmental Section worked closely with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the Police Service for Northern Ireland to build a robust prosecution case.

The investigation identified that a mobile elevated working platform was used to gain access to the upper areas of the large hedgerow. Extendable hedge trimmers were then used to trim the hedge.

The investigation established that 41-year-old Chris Auld, of Mill Hill Lane, Moira, failed to conduct a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the work taking place on the date of the incident.

A suitable and sufficient risk assessment would have identified the need to request a power outage on the overhead power lines.

It was established that Chris Auld was aware of the location of the power lines, having previously cut the hedgerow before in 2015, and having assessed the job requirements in August 2021 prior to the work in September.

It also established that Chris Auld had previously given HSENI a commitment to request a power outage from NIE before commencing works near power lines, however an outage was not sought on this occasion.

Investigations found that adequate training was not provided to his employees in relation to safe working practices whilst working within an elevated working platform in close proximity to overhead power lines.

It was also established that Chris Auld did not ensure adequate supervision of the work operations.

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PPS Senior Public Prosecutor Graham Cardwell said: “This tragic case resulted in 36-year-old Rodney Shirley losing his life whilst at work.

“Prosecutors in the PPS’s Fraud & Departmental Section worked closely with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland to build a robust prosecution case.

“The outcome of this case must serve as a reminder to employers to conduct the necessary checks and complete risk assessments to prevent anyone from being in danger.

“Mr Shirley was a much-loved husband, father and son who is sorely missed and I hope the conclusion of this case will help his loved ones to move forward with their lives, as they continue to try to cope with his death.”