Forklift Accidents

A facility services company has been fined £30,000 after an employee suffered a broken leg after being struck by a Counterbalance forklift truck. 

Back in May 2019, an employee was injured whilst carrying out inspections of drain covers adjacent to a workshop, when he was hit by a forklift truck. The operator of the forklift was unloading boxes for delivery to the canteen, but his view was obscured by the load on the forks, preventing him from seeing the other employee.

The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,636.38, after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

During the Health and Safety Investigation investigation, they found that the company had failed to carry out the appropriate risk assessment to identify and implement risk control measures to ensure vehicles and pedestrians were not working at the same time in the same place. HSE Inspector Nicola Pinckney, said: “This injury was easily preventable. Planning for transport safety and implementing safe working practices should avoid such incidents. Workplace transport is a significant hazard and the risks must be recognised and managed. There are simple and effective measures employers can take to help keep everyone safe.”