In court
Forklift safety failing: Worker suffered multiple breaks in his leg
A worker was injured by steel falling on him from a forklift truck after company failed to control ‘well-recognised’ risk.
The HSE’s investigation into the incident, which happened in December 2016, found the company did not have a safe system of work in place to avoid this kind of incident. In particular:
- Workstations were not separated from vehicle’s routes;
- Lifting accessories were not provided to reduce the risk of the rebar slipping from the forks;
- Forklift truck drivers were not provided with site-specific and load-specific training.
Lemon Groundwork Solutions Limited of Russell Gardens, Wickford, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £100,000 with costs of £6,253.14.
After the hearing HSE Inspector Nikki Hughes said: “This incident could easily have been avoided by the implementation of affordable control measures, such as a lifting accessory being used on the forklift truck. Handling and moving rebar is a well-recognised industry risk, which the company failed to identify and manage, despite the activity occurring frequently during a working day.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
With employees who drive for business more likely to be killed at work than deep sea divers or coal miners, driver safety is a vital business consideration.
Download this eBook from Driving for Better Business and SHP to cover:
- The danger of the roads;
- Comparing road safety in the UK to the rest of Europe;
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- Road safety best practice;
- What is fleet risk?
- Managing work-related road safety.
Forklift safety failing: Worker suffered multiple breaks in his leg
The HSE’s investigation found that the company did not have a safe system of work in place to avoid this kind of incident.
Alison Fava
SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources
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