Lancashire firm admits breach after worker falls from forklift

A worker in Leigh was knocked unconscious and suffered a head injury at work when he fell from the roof of a fork lift truck. The worker climbed onto the forklift truck roof to carry out servicing work to the equipment.

In court proceedings the employer, Serviceplan Contracts Ltd, admitted breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005 by failing to properly consider the potential dangers of working at height in this way and failing to properly plan and supervise the work and ensure that it was safely carried out. In particular it was found that some of the work could have been carried out from the ground and that the company should have provided employees with a step ladder or mobile steps to reach the higher parts of the equipment safely.

Speaking after the court hearing the HSE investigating inspector said:
“Workers face being seriously injured if they fall just a few feet. It’s therefore vital that companies plan work at height, supervise it appropriately and carry it out safely with the appropriate equipment.”

The HSE estimate that on average, 50 people are killed in Great Britain each year as a result of a fall from height and nearly 9,000 are seriously injured.

Claiming compensation for injury following a fall from height

If you have been injured as a result of falling from height at work you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Contact us for a free assessment of your case. We offer free home visits, no win – no fee and our clients keep 100% of any compensation.

Added 10.10.11