Newport-based Freight Movement has been fined £84,000 after a driver was crushed by a full pallet when his truck was being unloaded.
Newport Magistrates’ Court heard how on, 5 May 2017, the employee of the company based on the Wern Industrial Estate, Rogerstone, was seriously injured when a pallet loaded with 920kg of cardboard packaging toppled from a forklift and landed on him. The driver suffered multiple fractures and internal injuries.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found a lack of segregation between vehicles and pedestrians, inadequate safe waiting zones for drivers, lack of control over vehicle movements and an absence of safe walkways. The company failed to critically consider the main risks of its busy transport operation and ensure there was adequate control of transport risks at the site.
Freight Movement pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and was also ordered to pay costs of £5,633.69. HSE inspector Sian Donne said: “This incident could have easily been prevented by simply reviewing the risks from transport and keeping transport and people apart.
"This is a reminder to all companies to take suitable action to control the risks from transport in their workplaces. HSE will take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
