People in their fifties risk ten months in prison for a fatal accident at work in Vlamertinge
The facts took place on a field with iceberg lettuce in Vlamertinge, a sub-municipality of Ypres. The retired farmer was removing weeds from between the crops with a planer. At one point the man hit a lever when leaving the tractor, which caused the machine to start again. For the seventies, all help came too late.
DIY planer
The labor auditor came to the conclusion that the home-made planer did not meet the safety regulations. Moreover, it turned out that the victim had not been reported to the National Social Security Office. “I therefore question the mentality of the defendant,” says labor auditor Sofie Heyndrickx.
The defense did not dispute the facts, but emphasized that the defendant and the victim never questioned the possible dangers of the machine. In addition, it was noted that the employment of the seventies was only once not reported to the social security due to forgetfulness.
Black work and slumlords
After all, the defendant’s son was already exposed at his Brussels sprout farm for undeclared work and slumlords. In those circumstances, a fine of 16,000 euros and ten months in prison were demanded for the industrial accident, possibly with a postponement. For undeclared work, he is fined another 4,800 euros.
The defense asks for a suspension of sentence. “I lost a friend. That is the hardest thing for me,” says the defendant. The court will rule on May 26.