Crush injuries result in five-figure fine

A Southampton storage and warehousing company has been fined £32,000 after an employee was run over by one of its forklift trucks. Skillbeech Services, which holds a standard national licence authorising seven HGVs and two trailers, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court following the incident in July 2019.

The court heard that the delivery driver was in the firm’s Drivers’ Wharf yard while his vehicle was being loaded, when he was hit by the forklift. He was knocked to the ground and the vehicle then ran over his legs, causing severe crush injuries.

A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that there were inadequate control measures in place to segregate pedestrians and vehicles at the delivery yard. The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and as well as the fine, it was also ordered to pay costs of £8,222.

Nicola Pinckney, HSE inspector, said: “The injuries sustained in this incident were life changing and could have easily been fatal. This incident could have been avoided if basic vehicle and pedestrian segregation and control measures such as barriers, marked walkways and safe working practices had been in place. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard.”