More than 300 hazards have been uncovered in agricultural workers’ accommodation following a coroner’s warning over the death of a farmworker who lit a makeshift fire to keep warm.
The majority of 295 accommodation units inspected since May contained at least one hazard requiring action – including excess cold, electrical safety problems, damp and mould, falls risks and water supply issues.
But officials cannot readily say how many units still need repairs without manually checking every inspection record.
The findings come after George Michael Monte De Ramos Castrudes, a 37-year-old seasonal Filipino farmworker, died in January 2025 from a brain injury caused by carbon monoxide poisoning after lighting a fire inside his cold portacabin.
Following his inquest in February, Deputy Viscount Advocate Matt Berry urged ministers and the Jersey Farmers’ Union to identify portacabins being used as winter accommodation and proactively assess whether they met housing standards.
Responding to questions from Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, Planning Minister Sir Mark Boleat said inspections since 1 May had identified 315 hazards across 295 agricultural accommodation units.
“The majority of inspected units were found to contain one or more hazards requiring remedial action,” said Senator Boleat.
Most hazards were described as minor and addressed promptly, although “a small number required more urgent intervention”.
No formal notices have been issued during the inspection programme, with the minister saying compliance had been secured through engagement with landlords.
However, limitations in the department’s system meant it could not readily provide either the exact number of units that failed minimum standards or the number still awaiting work.
“The number of units subject to outstanding remedial works is not possible to articulate without officers manually reviewing all records,” added Senator Boleat.
Requested improvements included work on heating, electrical installations, fire precautions and water supplies, alongside damp and mould treatment.
The minister said all agricultural accommodation currently known to the department had been inspected. Checks consider year-round risks, including cold, ventilation, damp and mould, and fire and electrical safety.
The importance of adequate heating was highlighted at Mr Castrudes’ inquest, which heard that the outside temperature had dropped to 0.3°C on the night of the fire.
Advocate Berry found that difficulties heating the portacabin, combined with Mr Castrudes’ concerns about the cost, contributed to his decision to light the makeshift firepit.
The absence of a working smoke detector also meant that any opportunity to rescue him before he was fatally injured was lost.
In his report to prevent future deaths, the Deputy Viscount warned that migrant workers in low-paid jobs on temporary permits might hesitate to complain about accommodation “for fear of prejudicing their future employment”.
The latest ministerial response said officers can require temporary protective measures while repairs remain outstanding and monitor cases until accommodation is considered safe.
Officials also work with the Migrant Safeguarding Partnership on welfare and accommodation concerns, including consideration of alternative housing where necessary.
