An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, has determined that FloPlast Limited failed to protect a worker who was seriously injured by a forklift truck. The incident occurred at the company’s plastics manufacturing facility in Kent. The employee was walking to collect materials when they were struck by a forklift. According to the HSE, the worker suffered multiple leg fractures, dislocated his ankle, and had to have a metal plate fitted in his left leg.

An investigation conducted by the HSE identified a number of health and safety violations at the facility, including:

• No documented safe system of work
• Drivers and pedestrians working in close proximity
• Employees failing to observe one-way systems or follow systems of work
• Failing to assess vehicles to ensure they provided good visibility

FloPlast Limited, of Eurolink Business Park, Sittingbourne, Kent, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay £5,567 in costs at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on 14 November 2024.

What people are saying

In a recent quote, HSE inspector Peter Bruce said, “Poor vehicle and pedestrian segregation in the workplace is a common cause of fatal incidents and injuries. The employee in this instance suffered multiple fractures and has had to have a metal plate put into their leg which they will have for the rest of their life. Employers need to ensure that they have suitable measures in place to segregate out pedestrians and vehicles. This includes: the provision of safe systems of work, appropriate training procedures and systems for ensuring compliance with those measures.”

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