Employee hit by a forklift left with severe work injury

A Trafford man has been left with damage to his internal organs and multiple broken bones after being hit by a forklift.

The 60-year-old worker, who wishes to remain nameless, was run over by a 35-tonne reversing vehicle at Collier Industrial Waste Ltd.

Following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution, it was found that the company did not have sufficient systems in place to protect workers from reversing vehicles, such as marked walkways and a one-way system.

Daniel Longdon, HSE inspector, stated: "This was an entirely preventable incident which could have cost one of Collier's employees his life.

"There were several systems the company could have introduced to make sure workers were not put at risk by moving vehicles."

Collier Industrial Waste Ltd was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £9,410 in prosecution costs.

To ensure a safe driving environment, companies can install good lighting in all areas of the workplace, keep delivery areas tidy, keep pedestrians apart from vehicles, avoid reversing as far as possible, and send information about sites to drivers before they arrive.
Published by Tessa Jones