Lees of Scotland Limited, a Scottish confectionery and meringue manufacturer, has been fined £5,000 following an incident where an employee was seriously injured in a fall from a forklift truck. The worker had been assisting in unloading equipment from a lorry using a forklift truck at the company’s Coatbridge site on June 4, 2019. The forklift truck struggled to lift the load, and the employee, who had been asked to help stabilize it, fell, resulting in a broken arm, head cuts, and muscle damage to his back.

Incident Details:

• Date: June 4, 2019
• Location: Lees of Scotland Limited’s Coatbridge site
• Injury: Broken arm, head cuts, muscle damage to the back
• Circumstances: The employee was aiding in unloading a delivery using a forklift truck, which was unable to lift the load. He fell from the forklift truck, leading to severe injuries.

HSE Investigation Findings:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that Lees of Scotland Limited failed to conduct a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the lifting operation performed by employees. The forklift truck used was not capable of lifting the weight of the loads, contributing to the incident.

Legal Consequences:

Lees of Scotland Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations Section 2(1) and Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974. The company was fined £5,000 at Airdrie Sheriff Court on December 13, 2022.

HSE Inspector’s Statement:

HSE inspector Ashley Fallis emphasized that the incident could have been easily avoided through proper control measures and safe working practices. The statement reinforces the HSE’s commitment to taking enforcement action against companies falling below required safety standards.

The fine imposed on Lees of Scotland Limited underscores the importance of prioritizing safety measures in the workplace, especially during lifting operations involving forklift trucks. Employers are urged to conduct thorough risk assessments and ensure that equipment is suitable for the tasks to prevent avoidable accidents and injuries. The HSE’s stance reinforces the expectation for companies to adhere to necessary safety standards to protect their workers.