Packaging firm fined after employee hit by forklift
A packaging company based in Ebbw Vale has been in court after one of its delivery drivers was hit by a forklift truck at its premises.
What happened?
61-year-old Graham Williams had been collecting palleted products from Platt Packaging Ltd when the incident happened. He had taken a telephone call from his employer as he waited for his lorry to be loaded, when suddenly he was struck by a reversing forklift truck and knocked to the ground.
He sustained injuries to his leg, including a double fracture to his left ankle, and spent over a month in hospital. He is still unable to return to work.
An investigation into the incident found that the firm hadn’t implemented a satisfactory safe system of work for delivery operations at the site, and delivery drivers were not provided with instructions about safe places to be when forklifts were being used.
What was the outcome?
Platt Packaging Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined a total of £10,000 and ordered to pay £4,663 in costs.
HSE Inspector, Lee Schilling, said:
“The dangers associated with workplace transport are well-documented
in the industry. Incidents involving moving vehicles and
pedestrians on the same site have resulted in major
injuries, and even fatalities in the workplace.
“Platt Packaging should have provided a clearly marked, designated
safe zone for delivery drivers and implemented a safe system
of work that incorporated the need for communication
between the delivery driver and the
forklift operator.
“Had these basic safety requirements been fulfilled, the incident
would not have happened and Mr Williams
would not have been injured.”
If you have been affected by an accident at work, and you would like expert advice, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email
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