Safety Signs News

Lack of safety sign causes worker to be hit by forklift truck

22nd July 2010 | Health and Safety Signs

A leading tyre manufacturer has been fined Ã‚Â£9,500 after a contractor was injured by a forklift truck at one of its factories.

The 62-year-old man was walking though the curing department at the Carlisle site when he was hit by a pallet being carried on the truck.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the truck driver's view was obscured as his load had to be lowered due to overhead obstructions.

Pirelli Tyres pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was ordered to pay costs of Ã‚Â£4,282, in addition to its fine.

Speaking after the North Cumbria Magistrates' Court hearing, HSE inspector Michael Griffiths explained that a safety sign marking the area as pedestrian-free should have been used.

"Workplace transport continues to be one of the biggest causes of death and serious injury in the UK," he said.

"If a person is struck by a forklift truck, or another industrial vehicle like an HGV, then the consequences are usually severe."

Pirelli's activities mainly focus on the production of tyres and cables, but the company used to manufacture scuba diving rebreathers.

Posted by Ben Alexander ADNFCR-2754-ID-19903768-ADNFCR