A Cheshire based trailer manufacturer has been fined £12,000 after a worker was hit by a load carried by a forklift truck, sustaining multiple injuries.
On 10th March 2017, a worker for Meredith and Eyre Limited was completing a task including the lifting a stack of three trailer chassis, utilising a lift truck. During loading, the load shifted on the forks of the truck, hitting another employee on site. The worker sustained four spinal fractures, a broken left scapula, a broken rib and wounds to the head, shoulder and ankle.
Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was found that the company had failed to sufficiently plan the task and no safe system of work had been implemented. The investigation highlighted that the company should have ensured the stack of chassis was secure and stable on the forks, so the load would not move when raised. In addition, it was made clear that the company should have provided refresher training to employees, which would remove the need to steady the load by hand, as the employees would have the knowledge to identify the correct centre of gravity.
After the hearing HSE Inspector, Roger Clarke, commented “The incident could so easily have been avoided by simply putting in place the correct control measures and safe working practices. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Meredith and Eyre Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, receiving a fine of £12,000 and further costs of £1,745.16.
Source: SHP Online, Spinal fractures, broken scapula and broken rib suffered by worker in fork lift incident, 30th July 2018. Read the full article.