Blackpool Clothing Firm Fined £40,000 for Forklift Accident

In a distressing incident on March 25, 2022, at T. Print Limited’s Bristol Avenue site in Blackpool, self-employed delivery driver Andrew “John” Robinson faced life-altering injuries when struck by a forklift truck. The company’s failure to implement adequate safety measures resulted in serious consequences for Mr. Robinson, prompting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to investigate and subsequently fine T. Print Limited £40,000 for breaching health and safety regulations.

The Incident:

Andrew Robinson, a 53-year-old self-employed delivery driver from Blackburn, suffered multiple leg fractures and a dislocated ankle when he was hit by a forklift truck during a delivery at T. Print Limited’s site. The impact of the collision required Mr. Robinson to be airlifted from the scene, and he spent a month in the hospital undergoing multiple follow-up operations. Over a year later, he still hasn’t recovered sufficiently to return to work, and the incident has taken a toll on his mental health.

HSE Findings:

The HSE investigation revealed that T. Print Limited failed to ensure adequate measures for the safe segregation of delivery drivers from loading and unloading activities. Mr. Robinson was not instructed to stand or wait in a safe area during the unloading of his vehicle. The company neglected to conduct a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to identify and address the potential dangers associated with loading and unloading activities.

Legal Consequences:

T. Print Limited, located in Bispham, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £4,696.95 in costs at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on July 20, 2023.

Impact on Mr. Robinson:

The incident has had a profound impact on Mr. Robinson’s life. His serious injuries, prolonged recovery, and the enduring effects on his mental health underscore the far-reaching consequences of workplace accidents.

HSE Inspector’s Statement:

HSE Inspector Matthew Shepherd emphasized that T. Print Limited had failed to implement a safe system of work for loading and unloading activities, exposing delivery drivers like Mr. Robinson to the risk of accidents involving forklift trucks. The serious injuries sustained by Mr. Robinson highlight the critical importance of implementing adequate segregation controls to ensure the safety of pedestrians in workplaces using forklift trucks.

The £40,000 fine imposed on T. Print Limited serves as a stark reminder of the legal and financial repercussions that companies face when neglecting health and safety protocols. This incident underscores the imperative for all workplaces utilizing forklift trucks to prioritize the safety of pedestrians by implementing robust safety measures and conducting thorough risk assessments. The impact on Mr. Robinson’s life underscores the human cost of such lapses in workplace safety.