Two West Yorkshire businesses have been fined after a delivery driver was struck by two falling pallets that were being unloaded by another company from a HGV trailer using a fork-lift truck. As a result, the individual struck by the pallets suffered a fracture to one of his neck vertebrae.
The investigation found that both companies failed in their duty to provide a safe working system. They failed to ensure that delivery drivers were kept safe by moving them to a safe location whilst waiting for their trailers to be unloaded by FLTs.
The delivery company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £4000 and ordered to pay £4806.60 in costs.
The company receiving the goods pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £4654.90 in costs.
