A West Midlands textiles business has been fined £300,000 after an operator was struck by a telescopic handler in a goods-in area. The incident, captured on CCTV, left the worker with serious leg injuries and exposed systemic failures in workplace transport management. The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted the company after finding inadequate measures to segregate pedestrians and moving vehicles on the factory floor. press.hse.gov.uk
What happened
On 23 March 2023, a worker using a ride-on electric pallet truck was returning an empty cage when he was struck by a telehandler being driven by a colleague. CCTV evidence showed the collision took place in a congested internal area. The HSE investigation concluded that the employer had failed to design workspaces and systems of work that protected pedestrians from moving plant.
Key failings identified
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Lack of suitable traffic management and pedestrian segregation in the goods-in area.
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Poor site layout that allowed pedestrians and plant to operate in close proximity.
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Inadequate supervision and risk assessment of vehicle movement operations.
Why workplace transport control matters
Vehicle-related incidents are a major cause of workplace harm. Effective transport management is more than signage; it requires risk assessment, physical segregation, defined routes, vehicle maintenance, speed controls and regular training for drivers and pedestrians. Small operational shortcuts in busy handling areas can have severe consequences.
Practical measures for employers
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Conduct a detailed transport risk assessment that covers vehicle types, routes and pedestrian flow.
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Install physical segregation, designated walkways and speed control measures.
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Use CVS, mirrors and cameras on plant where visibility is limited.
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Implement permit to work and traffic marshaling for congested periods.
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Provide refresher training and enforce rules for both drivers and pedestrians.
Regulatory outcome and lessons
The court fined JMP Wilcox and ordered costs after a guilty plea under section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. HSE inspector commentary reiterated that adequate transport controls can prevent such incidents and that companies must plan workplaces to keep people and vehicles apart. The case underscores the need to treat workplace transport as a core part of safety management rather than an operational afterthought.
