Inadequate planning led to fork lift crush injury
An employee’s foot was crushed by a falling metal grid weighing a tonne, and suffered a broken foot which led to the amputation of three toes.
Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told how, on 15 December 2016, Nicholas Jenkin, an employee of welding and fabrication firm Swadlincote Aluminium and Welding Co Ltd, had been instructed to paint several metal truck wash grids when one of the metal grids, weighing a tonne, slipped through the forks of a forklift and landed on his foot, crushing it.
Failure to plan
The Health and Safety Executive found that the company had failed to properly plan the task or ensure the forklift driver had received adequate training to fully operate the vehicle. The company also failed to ensure a safe system of work was in place, such as the use of a sling on the forklift truck, which would have stopped the metal grid from slipping through the forks.
Swadlincote Aluminium and Welding Co Ltd, of Unit 3 Suttons Business Park, Swadlincote, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £4,400 and ordered to pay costs of £860.40
Speaking after the hearing Health and Safety Executive Inspector David Keane said: “This injury could have easily been prevented had thorough planning been carried out.
“Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from injury while operating fork lift trucks.”
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]
Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders
In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="82165"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title="Listen now!" color="success" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shponline.co.uk%2Fpodcasts%2Fapproaches-to-managing-the-risks-associated-musculoskeletal-disorders%2F|title:Listen%20today!"][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Inadequate planning led to fork lift crush injury
An employee’s foot was crushed by a falling metal grid weighing a tonne, and suffered a broken foot which led to the amputation of three toes.
Alison Fava
SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources Related Topics
Recycling company fined £1.2m after worker hit by a wagon
Shipping Services company fined after worker loses finger
Company and director fined after workers exposed to asbestos
