A fine of £400,000 has been imposed on an automotive manufacturer after an employee died in a workplace accident on the day he was supposed to take voluntary redundancy.
Darren Small, 35, of Loughor, Swansea, died in March 2008 in Morriston Hospital three days after he was hit by a fork-lift truck at Calsonic Kansei UK Limited, of Llethri Road, Llanelli.
Father-of-two Mr Small had been giving instructions to a fork-lift truck operator on the factory floor when it reversed into him. He fell to the ground, suffering head injuries which were to prove fatal.
At Swansea Crown Court, Calsonic Kansei UK Limited pleaded guilty to charges under Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. As well as being fined, the firm was ordered to pay £44,790.14 in costs.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Stephen Jones said: “This tragic incident could have been avoided had all contractors and employees been aware of the risks, and had the safety procedures been taken to avoid such risks.”
Medico-Legal News Source: Claims Management Magazine
