£20,000 is peanuts. Is that all Colin's life was worth?

THE family of a farm worker crushed to death when a one tonne concrete panel fell on him today hit out at the decision to fine his employers just £20,000, asking: "Is that all his life was worth?"

Colin Hill was working at Garvald Mains Farm, East Lothian, in June 2008 when the horrific accident happened.

The 49-year-old had been working on a perimeter fence for Hamilton Farmers, who have since been criticised by the Health and Safety Executive for carrying out no risk assessment before work began.

Mr Hill's brother Graeme said that he and his sister Fiona, 43, and mum Mae, 75, were devastated, and expected more action to be taken against the farm.

The 46-year-old, from Haddington, said: "20,000 is peanuts to farm owners. Is that all a life is worth? "If he survived and was injured they would have been fined a lot more.

"We received a personal claim after the accident but it isn't enough for my mum. Colin did everything for her and she finds it very hard without him. He was just a quiet, easy-going man who loved his family and his work.

"He was over the moon when he got the job with Hamilton Farmers, having been made redundant from the previous farm he worked for."

Mr Hill, who himself also previously worked in farming, said that he was unable to bring himself to work in the industry after his brother's death. He said: "It's been hard to deal with. Farming was my life. I haven't been able to go back to it since."

Hamilton Farmers were fined 20,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Haddington Sheriff Court last month.

Health and Safety Inspector Gillian McLean said: "Tragically, this worker was needlessly crushed to death because his employers failed to properly assess the risks and implement a safe system of work."

In Scotland five workers were killed and 74 seriously injured in farming accidents in 2008/09.

Kelvin Pate, chairman of the East Lothian branch of the National Farmers' Union, said:

"These accidents destroy lives and whole families and highlight how dangerous the farming industry can be, especially when doing new jobs."

A spokesman for Hamilton Farmers said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the Hill family at this difficult time."