Automotive manufacturer employee struck by falling pallet

Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard that on 24 May 2016 the employee of Magna Exteriors (Banbury) Limited was attempting to move a stack of pallets with a manual pump truck when a pallet fell and struck him, resulting in lacerations to the head and several fractures to both his tibia and fibula.

The worker later required surgical amputation below the knee because of the seriousness of his injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company, who were in the process of relocating stock from one premise to another, had failed to properly plan the manoeuvring of pallets around the site. It was also found Magna Exteriors (Banbury) Limited failed to implement a safe system of work for this task.

Magna Exteriors (Banbury) Limited of Beaumont Road Industrial Estate, Banbury, Oxon pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The company has been fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,537.45.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Principal Inspector Karen Morris said: “This case highlights the need for all duty holders to properly plan all work activity before allowing work to begin.

“In this case Magna Exteriors failed to plan and identify the risks associated with the relocation of their stock, and as a result this employee’s life has been changed dramatically. Workers’ health should not be made worse by the work they do.”