A FACTORY worker has been left with life-changing injuries after he was run over by a forklift truck.
In the horrific footage, captured at the FloPlast Limited site in Kent, his colleague continues to drive despite the man being stuck under the wheels.
SWNSThe forklift driver didn’t spot the man as he walked across the forecourt[/caption]
SWNSThe man was dragged under the wheels of the cherry picker[/caption]
The unnamed victim was collecting materials in Sittingbourne when he was struck by the cherry picker.
After a few moments of being barged, he was dragged under the truck, with the driver making no effort to slow down.
After four seconds, the forklift operator appeared to realise what had happened and reversed the vehicle to free the man.
The employee’s leg was fractured in several places and he had a dislocated ankle.
His injuries were so severe that he needed to have a metal plate fitted in his left leg.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation was launched after the accident in July 2023.
At Maidstone Magisrates’ Court on November 14 the business pleaded guilty to breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The company was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay £5,567 in costs.
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 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.
“Where it is identified that employees are not following these measures, employers should consider the reasons behind this implementing further measures as appropriate to the risk.”
SWNSThe company was fined £400,000[/caption]