A company in the West Midlands that reclaims and processes used textiles has been fined £300,000 after one of its employees was hit by a telehandler.
The man, now 42, suffered serious injuries to his legs in the incident that happened on 23 March 2023 at a factory belonging to JMP Wilcox & Company Limited at Beldtray Works in Bilston.
Stills from CCTV footage captured the moments before the man was struck as he was using a ride-on electric pallet truck inside the factory building.
The man had been finding stock in the ‘goods-in’ area and using his pallet truck to return an empty cage when he was hit by a telescopic handler that was being driven by another employee.
This incident highlights the dangers to safety from inadequate management of workplace transport.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to properly manage vehicle movements on site.
This included organising the workplace in such a way as to ensure the safety of its employees, both pedestrians and those using vehicles.
JMP Wilcox & Co Limited of Beldray Road, Bilston pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,732 at Dudley Magistrates’ Court.
HSE inspector Gail Bell commented: “This incident highlights the dangers to safety from inadequate management of workplace transport.
“A man suffered very serious injuries due to the failure to put suitable control measures in place.
“These measures ensure people are kept safe at work and specifically prevent them from being struck by a moving vehicle.”