HSE warns employers to control risks from workplace vehicles

Date:

25 September 2009

Release No:

EM/071/09

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers that they must have systems in place for ensuring pedestrians and vehicles can move safely around the workplace after a man was knocked over by a forklift truck.

The advice comes after Fairline Boats Ltd, of Barnwell Road, Oundle, Northamptonshire, was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £4,000 costs at Northampton Magistrates' Court today after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 17 (1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 in failing to organise their Nene Valley site such that pedestrians and vehicles could move around premises safely.

On 7 December, 2007 during the afternoon tea break, Thomas Moorehead an employee of Fairline Boats Ltd, was returning to work from the car park on site when he was knocked down by a forklift truck. The driver, unaware of the collision continued driving the truck for approximately 26 metres with the employee stuck under the front until someone caught his attention. Mr Moorehead had fractures to his pelvis and legs.

Neil Craig, HSE Inspector, said:

"This incident could have been avoided if the company had organised the workplace so that vehicles can operate safely in a set area."

"All companies must assess the risks when pedestrians and vehicles, such as forklift trucks work in close proximity and take appropriate precautions which are well documented in HSE guidance."

Notes to editors

1. Regulation 17(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 states: "Every workplace shall be organised in such a way that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate in a safe manner."
2. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states: "Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work".

Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR East Midlands.