by David Osele
8 November 2010
A West Midlands company has been fined after one of its workers suffered serious injuries in an accident at work.
Colin Ball was struck by a piece of insulating board and fell into an HGV trailer in the incident in October 2009.
The lorry driver sustained a serious head injury in the fall, as well as several spinal fractures.
"This incident could easily have been prevented had the company implemented a suitable and sufficient safe system of work to effectively manage the risks posed by stacked materials in their warehouse,” says Lyn Mizen, an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive.
Mr Ball’s employers, Reticel, admitted a breach of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974, reports contractorscompare.com. The company, based in Stoke-on-Trent, were fined £6,238 and ordered to pay costs of £11, 762.
Mr Ball may now be eligible to make a claim for work accident compensation from his employers.