Pirelli UK fined over safety breach

ERJ staff report (DS)

Carlisle, UK -- Pirelli UK has been fined £9000 (Euro 10 500) after a worker suffered a broken leg when he was hit by a forklift truck at the company's Carlisle factory.

Allan Miller, a 62-year-old contractor, was walking through an area within the curing department at the Dalston Road site when he was struck from behind by a pallet being carried on a forklift truck. He suffered a broken leg and has been unable to return to his normal duties.

Pirelli Tyres Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to properly manage the risks to pedestrians in the area, including failing to inform contractors of the precautions required to ensure their safety.

North Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Carlisle heard that forklift truck drivers' vision was frequently obscured because their loads had to be lowered to avoid overhead obstructions. A previous risk assessment by Pirelli had identified that the area should be a pedestrian-free zone.

There had also been several previous incidents in the same area of the Pirelli factory in Carlisle, involving pedestrians and forklift trucks.

Pirelli Tyres Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was ordered to pay £4,282 towards the cost of the prosecution as well as the fine at North Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Carlisle on 16 July.

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Press release from HSE (UK Health and Safety Executive)