Work Accident

A Gateshead construction firm has been ordered to pay £4,500 after a forklift truck telehandler overturned in Northumberland, injuring the operator.

Meldrum Construction Services Ltd was fined after admitting breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Tom Lincoln was lifting roof trusses on to the roof at the development site in Holly Hall, Sandhoe, near Corbridge, on July 16, 2008, Tynedale Magistrates' Court heard.

Mr Lincoln, 39, of Dudley, Northumberland, was thrown against the machine's window and controls when it fell on its side.

He was not trained to use the telehandler and was not wearing a seat belt at the time. Mr Lincoln suffered multiple fractures to his right arm, leaving him with limited mobility in his shoulder, the court heard.

HSE construction inspector John McGill said: "Meldrum Construction Services Ltd failed to ensure that Mr Lincoln had the necessary training to use the machine and had not reviewed its processes to ensure that unauthorised personnel did not have access to specialist machinery on site."

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David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “I welcome the fine imposed following this serious work accident.

“The construction industry is the industrial sector where a worker is most likely to be injured or killed following an accident at work.  As such, employers need to do all they can to ensure that workers are provided with a safe place and a safe system of work.

“Sadly, all too often, I have to assist workers pursue their compensation claim after injuries sustained following a work accident.”

If you have suffered an injury whilst working on a construction site, our accident at work lawyers could help you to claim compensation. Navigate to our Construction Accident Claims page for more details.