Dungannon company fined £24k plus costs over death of worker

The sentence was passed at Antrim Crown Court on January 29 after a Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) investigation into the fatal incident at the company’s premises at Nutts Corner Business Park.

A 49-year-old Polish employee died after a forklift truck he was driving overturned, trapping him between the vehicle’s safety frame and the ground.

The investigation found that the man who died had not been trained had not been trained on the operation of forklifts by the company, and was employed only as a general operative.

Speaking after the sentencing Kevin Campbell, an inspector with HSENI, said: “Employers must ensure that operators of forklift trucks are properly trained, competent and authorised to operate lift trucks. No one should be allowed to operate a forklift truck unless they have received the appropriate training and instruction.

“It is also essential that employers provide health and safety information to their employees that is clear and easily understood.”

Cherry Pipes specialises in the manufacture and distribution of plastic drainage systems.

The health and safety breaches and fines were as follows:

Article 4(1) of the Health and Safety Work at Work Order (NI) 1978 (fined £6,000)

Regulation 9(1) of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland)1999 (fined £6,000)

Regulation 9(2) of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland)1999 (fined £6,000)

Regulation 10(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (fined £6,000)