March 5, 2019 9.40 am This story is over 60 months old

Builders merchant to pay out £37k after worker run over by forklift

The worker was seriously injured
The incident happened on the site off Station Road in North Hykeham. Photo: Google

A North Hykeham builders merchant was fined £33,000 after a loaded forklift struck an employee who was left with serious leg injuries.

MKM Building Supplies (Lincoln) Ltd pleaded guilty at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on February 25 to failing in their duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees.

The incident happened in the yard of the premises on Stephenson Road in North Hykeham in May last year.

The injured man was undertaking a vehicle check of his flatbed lorry whilst another member of staff was loading bulk bags onto the back of it.

During the checks at the front of the vehicle the man was struck to the upper left arm by a bulk bag being carried on the forks of the forklift truck. This pushed him to the floor.

Its rear wheel ran over his right lower leg causing severe injuries to the leg.

District Judge Peter Veits said it was ‘clear that this was an unfortunate injury’. Taking into account mitigation and credit for a guilty plea he brought the level of fine down to £33,000.

The court was told that this was an isolated incident by the company who had taken care of the complainant, learned from the experience and rectified the situation.

The case was brought by North Kesteven District Council which has a duty to investigate and enforce such matters under its obligations with health and safety legislation.

It was awarded full costs of £3,942.51 and a victim surcharge of £170 was also applied. The company was given 28 days to pay the full financial penalty of £37,112.51.

SUBSCRIBE to Business Week, the new email newsletter from The Lincolnite and Lincolnshire Reporter, bringing you weekly features, analysis and a news roundup of the top stories by Stonebow Media. Sign up free to receive it every Thursday morning in your inbox. We won’t spam you or share your details with third parties, we promise!