A REDDITCH-based company which pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of its customers after a forklift truck ran over a man’s foot, has had its original fine of £1.2million reduced to £300,000 after an appeal against sentence.
On July 2 at Birmingham Crown Court, His Honour Judge Cole imposed a fine of £300,000 on Stark Building Material LTD, for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The original case, brought by Redditch Borough Council, was heard at Worcester Magistrates Court on October 20 2023 where the company was fined £1.2million plus costs of £11,029 awarded to the council and a victim surcharge of £190.
It related to an incident in June 2021 at the Clive Road branch of Jewsons where a forklift truck ran over the foot of a customer leaving him with life changing injuries.
Officers found there were no marked out pedestrian walkways or safe crossing points to keep people and vehicles separate, including forklift trucks and delivery lorries.
Line markings had worn away and were faded and although this had been identified by the company four months prior to the incident as needing reinstating , the work had not been carried out.
Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services Simon Wilkes said: “Even though the fine was reduced this case should be a warning to others to ensure the safety of customers and employees and to double check their controls are up to scratch and in place.
“Our Environmental Health Team will continue to take action where proper safety measures are not organised as we continue to protect our communities.”
