A plastic packaging manufacturer was fined following an accident at a site that resulted in an employee suffering multiple fractures to both their pelvis and legs.
Peterlee Magistrates' Court heard that, on 12 September 2017, an employee of Sirap UK Ltd was busy operating a forklift truck near to a row of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) when the accident occurred. FIBCs are more commonly referred to as bulk bags or dumpy bags, and are used in many industries (including construction and manufacturing) in order to transport products and materials.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the FIBCs had been stacked in an unsafe manner, and at a height of around 2.2 metres. When the employee reversed the forklift truck into one of the lower FIBCs and caught it, it tore apart, causing it to spill its contents. Upon attempting to repair the tear, the top FIBC (which weighs around 1 tonne) fell and struck the employee. HSE considered that the arrangements taking place at the site, for everyday use (like storage, reuse and repair of the FIBCs), would have created an increased risk of injury.
Sirap UK limited, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Work at Height Regulations SI 2005/735. They were fined £150,000, and ordered to pay £1061.47 in costs.
Commenting after the hearing, HSE inspector Clare Maltby, said "there are many companies using this type of container and they should note that the use of FIBCs requires safe stacking formations and safe systems for reuse and repair. Had the company adopted the correct standards this worker would not have been injured".
