Health and Safety Executive
A manufacturer which failed to safely segregate workers and vehicles has been ordered to pay £525,000 after a worker was hit by a forklift truck.
On 23 November 2018, the employee was working at G-Tekt Europe Manufacturing's premises in Tredegar, south east Wales. He was struck by the vehicle, causing a serious brain injury which led to him being placed in an induced coma.
The company, which manufactures metal pressings and sub-assemblies for the automotive industry, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for failing to adequately control workplace transport risks. Investigators found a lack of segregation between vehicles and pedestrians, no safe pedestrian crossings where vehicle and pedestrian routes crossed and insufficient safety signage to highlight hazards.
Newport Magistrates’ Court found G-Tekt Europe Manufacturing guilty of breaching section 4(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations. The firm, which employs about 250 workers and has a turnover of more than £250 million, was fined £525,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8014.
