An employee of Knowsley Engineering Services Ltd was badly injured when he was struck by a metal structure during a lifting process.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that the worker and a colleague were attempting to manoeuvre the structure out of the premises using a forklift truck on June 30 2014.
Whilst trying to raise the structure from its supporting trestles, it twisted and swung towards the worker, entering the cab of the forklift truck and striking him.
The 46-year old worker from Skelmersdale, West Lancashire, sustained serious flesh wounds and a fractured arm in the incident.
Serious flesh wounds
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to ensure the lifting operation was suitably planned, supervised or carried out safely.
It had not carried out a risk assessment and no formal training had been provided for the employees.
Knowsley Engineering Services pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,670.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Imran Siddiqui said that it was an incident that could have been avoided if proper training had been provided.
‘Would have been avoided’
“Had the company taken basic steps, such as providing suitable training so those undertaking the lift were in a more informed position to assess and then adequately manage the risks, this incident would have been avoided.”
Meanwhile, Fork Lift Truck Association (FTLA) chief executive Peter Harvey warned of the dangers of making unauthorised modifications or repairs to trucks.
“Unauthorised repairs or modifications can have dangerous knock-on effects for safety,” said Harvey.
“Cheap tyres can effect stability and cause an accident and the FTLA has even heard of individuals trying to repair damaged overhead guards, thereby endangering all future users of the truck.”