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Mark Grubb says he has "absolute regret" for the injuries suffered by Connor Harfield
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Tree surgeon's regret at teenager's injuries

By Becky Barnes
February 21, 2013

A Bracknell tree surgeon has spoken of his ‘regret’ after a teenager’s toes were severed in a faulty wood chipper.

Mark Grubb, director of Calibra Tree Surgeons, admitted three offences of breaking the Health and Safety at Work Act and was ordered to pay nearly £13,000 at Reading Magistrates Court.

After the hearing on Tuesday, February 5, the 37-year-old, of Moordale Avenue, said: “I have got absolute regret for what happened. I feel for Connor immensely – I wouldn’t wish what happened on my worst enemy.”

Connor Harfield, now 18, from Bracknell, was three weeks into his first job when he lost his toes and the ball of his right foot in a wood chipper with a non-functioning safety bar, in Maidenhead, on September 23, 2011.

Tree surgeon fined for health and safety failures as worker's toes are shredded

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed the company failed to take steps to protect the teenager from a dangerous blade, which left him with a permanent impairment and ongoing pain.

Mark added: “We have learnt so much from this unfortunate experience. We used to take on work experience people from local schools, but unfortunately we no longer take on people under the age of 18.”

The company has also invested in professional advice and has rewritten its health and safety manual to protect employees and the company.

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Really feel for Mark. He's a lovely bloke (which doesn't make things right I know) but he's worked hard to build his business.

Hopefully the lessons have been truly learned from this episode.