According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that on 1 December 2018 an employee of Staveley’s Eggs had been driving the truck at the company’s premises at Goosnargh, near Preston. The truck overturned, trapping the driver between it and the ground, causing serious, life-changing crush injuries as a result.
A subsequent HSE investigation found that the areas where fork lift trucks were driven had significant changes in gradient that were not a suitable surface for the type of fork lifts in use. The company failed to both identify and control the risk of fork lift overturn.
Staveley’s Eggs of Coppull, Chorley pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,259.42.
'Could have been avoided'
After the hearing, HSE inspector Steven Boyd commented: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by ensuring the area where fork lift trucks were driven was free of slopes and damage, and that a suitable fork lift truck was used for the site.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
According to the latest set of accounts registered with Companies House, Staveley's Eggs chalked up turnover of £16.8m and operating profit of £259,000 in the year to 30 November 2018.
