The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a manufacturing company based in Northern Ireland, after an employee was struck by a forklift truck in Chester.
An HSE investigation found that Encirc Ltd – a producer of glass bottles for the drinks industry, based in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – had failed to take effective measures to ensure its workers were correctly segregated from forklift trucks.
The HSE investigation was launched after an employee collided with a forklift truck on Ash Road in Elton, Chester, resulting in him breaking his arm.
The incident occurred on 14 December 2015 and the subsequent inquiry found that the clarity of segregation was well below the standards expected.
The company had a poor system of work which was not enforced for the workers who were most exposed to the risk – and had been served with an Improvement Notice in 2007 for poor segregation in the yard and warehouse areas.
There had also been another incident involving a forklift truck in 2008, when an employee was injured.
At Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, Encirc Ltd of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 17 of The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations.
The company was fined £500,000 with £7,290 in costs.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Jane Carrol said:
“Poor segregation leads to accidents – there was a failure to properly plan work and this accident highlights the risks that are involved.
“Incidents relating to workplace transport can be avoided if effective measures are taken.”
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