Logistics Company Fined Over Falling Pallet | Health & Safety

Logistics Company Fined Over Falling Pallet

Key Facts:

• Logistics company prosecuted after a driver was injured by a falling pallet.
• A risk assessment had been carried out, but not implemented.
• The firm was fined £22,000 plus costs.

The Case:

The HSE have launched an investigation into the safety practices of a logistics company after a worker was injured by a falling pallet at the firm’s site.

In Dec 2014, a 49 year old transport services firm employee was making a lorry delivery to the logistics company’s site, when he was struck by a pallet which fell from a forklift truck. He had been stood to the side of the lorry cab, watching the unloading operation.

He suffered life threatening injuries, and needed to stay in hospital for three weeks after having been airlifted there. He was then transferred to another hospital for a further week. He has been left with serious, long-term health effects and will not be able to return to work as an HGV driver.

The subsequent HSE investigation identified that whilst a relevant risk assessment had been undertaken, it did not specifically detail a risk to visiting drivers. It did, however, identify that a driver should return to his cab, or stand a ‘safe distance’ from the operation.

The case was heard at Basildon Crown Court at the start of November. The logistics company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £22,000 plus costs of £4,639.

What the law states:

Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states:

It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.

Find out more about safe practice with workplace transport here >>

Find details of our safety training courses here 

Follow us on twitter: @safety_matters

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if we can help you find a solution to your safety matters.