Stair lift manufacturer in court after driver seriously injured
A stair lift manufacturer, based in Durham, has been in court after one of its delivery drivers sustained serious injuries when he was hit by a reversing fork lift truck.
What happened?
The 62-year-old contractor had been working in the “goods in” area of the factory. He was heading back to his vehicle when he saw a fork lift truck reversing towards him.
Instinctively, he moved in an attempt to avoid it, but the vehicle turned in the same direction and knocked him to the ground, running over both of his feet.
He suffered serious injuries, including a de-gloving of his big toe, which he received surgery for. Unfortunately this was unsuccessful, and his toe was amputated a month later.
An investigation into the incident found that, whilst the driver of the fork lift had failed to ensure that there was no one behind him before he reversed, there was also inadequate management of vehicles and pedestrians.
For example, delivery drivers were able to walk around the loading bays while lorries were being loaded.
What was the outcome?
Meditek Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £3,300 and ordered to pay £790.60 in costs and £1,000 compensation.
HSE inspector, Victoria Wise, said:
“Meditek cooperated fully with HSE’s investigation and accepted that this
incident was easily preventable had it identified the risks to
pedestrians in the loading area associated
with moving vehicles.
“The close proximity of the delivery driver in an area where a fork
lift truck was reversing was unsafe. The risks associated with
pedestrians and vehicles working in proximity to each other
are well known and there is plenty of advice available
on how to reduce those risks.
“This delivery driver suffered a serious injury because of
the company’s failures.”
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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