A metal engineering company has been fined £5,000 after one of its workers was serious injured when a forklift truck tipped and the load landed on him.
Overview
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) reported that on 28 July 2009, Mark Connett, from Crewkerne, was guiding a load of angle irons being moved with a forklift. The forklift tipped and the load landed on Mr Connett, fracturing the knee and ankle.
The incident occurred at his employer’s premises at Yonder Hill works.
A HSE investigation found that the load was being moved using an extension attached to the forklift which had been made in-house. The extension had not been tested to ascertain what maximum weights could be positioned along the extension arm without risk of the fork lift tipping.
In addition, there had been no training for either the operators or the supervisors on lifting loads of angle irons, nor had the supervisor undertaken any training for his supervisory role.
Outcome
Metaltech Precision Ltd based in Chard Junction, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (i.e. failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all its employees).
The company was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £4,940 in costs.
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Source: Health & Safety Executive
