Employee Left With Serious Injuries Following Incident

A company in Greater Manchester has been fined £20,000 over an incident in which a worker suffered serious life-changing injuries after being hit by a 35-tonne forklift truck.

Collier Industrial Waste Ltd admitted to breaching safety regulations in relation to the incident in January 2010, when a 60-year-old from the Wirral was left with damage to internal organs and multiple broken bones.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that sufficient systems, including marked walkways, were not in place to protect workers from transport moving around the site.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist accident at work claims team represents employees who have suffered serious injuries as a result of safety failings in the workplace.

Stephen Nye, a Partner with expertise in such workplace injury cases, said there were lessons to be learned from the case.

He said: “All aspects of safety need to be carefully considered by employers if they are to fulfil their duties and protect workers from any potential harm.

“Transport management is absolutely fundamental aspect of workplace safety, but incidents like this one sadly highlight the devastating consequences that can emerge when firms are not adhering to recognised guidance.

“The worker hurt in this case has had his life turned upside down by the injuries he suffered and this is not an uncommon tale when it comes to accidents at work.

“Employers have to recognise their safety duties and ensure they are doing everything possible to keep their workers safe from any potential harm.”