HSE fine company after worker is forced to leave

Posted on January 15^th 2010

The Health and Safety Executive have prosecuted a firm in Gateshead after finding the construction company guilty of beaching workplace safety regulations. The company was fined £4,500 after an untrained member of staff had a forklift truck telehandler fall on him.

The company Meldrum Construction Service Ltd from Birtley pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to comply with current health and safety laws. As a result of their negligence the company was handed the £4,500 fine and ordered to pay more than £2,300 in fines.

Northumberland court heard how Tom Lincon from Dudley, was untrained on the forklift truck and while moving roof trusses his vehicle overturned caused substantial injuries to his shoulder. The prosecutor told how at the time of the incident Mr Lincon had not received the required training leaving him blind to the dangers. A result of this incident means he is now unable to return to work and still requires medical treatment for his injuries.

John McGill a HSE construction inspector said: "Mr Lincoln has suffered long term injuries as a result of this serious incident. Meldrum Construction Services Ltd failed to ensure that Mr Lincoln had the necessary training to use the machine and had not reviewed its processes to ensure that unauthorised personnel did not have access to specialist machinery on site."

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