Health and safety investigation finds serious worker injuries
A construction company in Yeovil has been fined for risking an employee’s life. A subcontractor was working on a site when he was hit by a forklift truck. The worker was experienced at the age of 50, having worked as ground crew for many years. The incident in 2010 happened while he was working for Brookvale Homes as a subcontractor to install a drainage system for a new terrace property. Mr. Daniels was inspecting the drainpipes near the main haul road across from the site offices when he was hit in the chest by the stabiliser of the fork lift truck. The wheel also ran over his right leg crushing his bones and leading to a partial amputation of his right foot. The incident warranted the HSE to investigate with health and safety training in mind. The HSE needed to look at whether the driver of the forklift was qualified, what could have led to the incident with man and forklift and if things could have been prevented.
It was found through the health and safety audit that Brookvale Homes did not manage pedestrian and vehicle movement around the construction site. There were no walkways designated, pavement, or restricted vehicle-only areas. The storage areas and skips meant the vehicle traffic was high around the main walkway for pedestrians. There was an obstruction around the area. This is why the forklift driver had trouble getting around and missed seeing the worker. If basic safety precautions were in place the incident would not have occurred.
