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Geopost fined over safety
Page 6
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PARCEL FIRM GEOPOST UK and one of its franchisees have been fined £12,000 including costs for a breach of health and safety regs after one of its drivers was injured as he unloaded his vehicle.
North Tyneside magistrates heard how John Slone was hit by a metal roll cage full of boxes as they were being unloaded using a forklift truck driven by the depot's manager, Graeme Wallace.
Slone suffered serious injuries including crushed vertebrae and several broken ribs. The HSE investigation found that Wallace, who operated the Interlink Express depot at Longbenton, Tyne & Wear, as part of a franchise, had failed to ensure the safety of drivers visiting the site.
He failed to carry out an adequate risk assessment for loading operations and had no formal training in driving the forklift .As a result,Wallace, was fined £4,000 at the hearing with £2,000 costs.
GeoPost UK was fined £1,000 with £5,000 costs.
Speaking after the case. HSE investigating inspector Richard Bishop said: "This accident underlines the need for employers to have safe systems of work in place for vehicle loading and unloading operations."
Charlie Shiels, GeoPost UK's director of hubs. linehaul, risk & transport. offered his sympathy to Slone, adding: "This accident caused us concern because our company prides itself on the consistently high levels of health and safety it achieves, winning RoSPA Gold and Silver awards. "It is of paramount importance to us that our employees continue to work in a safe environment:.