A scaffolding company has been fined more than £50,000 after a worker was crushed by the forklift truck he was using and he sustained serious, life-changing internal injuries.
Leeds Magistrates Court heard how in October 2016, an employee of Whiterose Scaffolding (Leeds) was using a forklift truck in the yard when the vehicle overturned, trapping him underneath it for some time.
As a result of his injuries, he now lives with constant chronic pain and has severe mobility issues.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to provide training to their employees on the safe operations of forklift trucks, which would have included the importance of wearing seat belts. The company also failed to provide adequate supervision and monitoring of the forklift truck operators to ensure they were only operated by trained drivers and that safe driving techniques were followed.
Whiterose Scaffolding (Leeds) Ltd of Holbeck Lane, Leeds pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and has been fined £54,270 and ordered to pay £8000 in costs.
HSE inspector Andrea Jones said: “The employee’s injuries were life changing and could have been fatal. The impact has been devastating on him and his family. Other employees were put at risk as a result of the company allowing fork lift trucks to be used without the appropriate training and monitoring of drivers.
“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working”.
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Once again we read the awful pain this person has to suffer for the rest of his life WHY the lack of training supervision etc.
£50000 pathetic fine.