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Video footage shows moment worker run over by forklift truck at FloPlast Limited’s site in Sittingbourne

10:42, 20 November 2024

updated: 11:41, 20 November 2024

This is the shocking moment a worker was run over by a forklift truck, leaving him with life-changing injuries.

The unnamed man was struck by the vehicle while walking to collect materials at plastic manufacturer FloPlast Ltd in Sittingbourne in July last year.

This is the moment a worker is run over by a forklift. Picture: SWNS
This is the moment a worker is run over by a forklift. Picture: SWNS

The driver of the forklift failed to see the employee, who sustained multiple leg fractures and a dislocated ankle, requiring him to have a metal plate fitted in his left leg.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation has since found a number of measures lacking at the site in Castle Road, on the Eurolink Business Park.

These include employees not following one-way systems, vehicles not being assessed for good visability and no monitoring of compliance to the systems of work.

At Maidstone Magistrates’ 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.

The driver of the forklift truck failed to see the worker, who sustained multiple leg fractures and a dislocated ankle, requiring him to have a metal plate fitted in his left leg. Picture: SWNS
The driver of the forklift truck failed to see the worker, who sustained multiple leg fractures and a dislocated ankle, requiring him to have a metal plate fitted in his left leg. Picture: SWNS

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.”

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