Yorkshire textile firm fined for health and safety breach
A textile firm based in the West Yorkshire town of Elland has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after one of its workers was crushed by a pallet.
The firm, THS Industrial Textile Limited, was investigated after an 18-year-old employee was crushed by double-stacked pallets weighing more than a small car. This happened in March 2012, when the worker and his colleagues were removing pallets from a container using a forklift truck. The injured employee was inside the container when the pallets, which are believed to have weighed more than 1,500kg, fell on top of him, causing him to suffer a fracture femur.
Following the incident, the HSE launched an investigation into health and safety training and standards at the business, which is based at Heathfield Business Park. Investigators found that the correct procedures were not in place to help employees carry out the work safely.
After admitting the charges made against it and for failing to ensure the health and safety of its employees, THS Industrial Textile Limited was fined £6,000 and was ordered to pay nearly £5,000 at Calderdale Magistrates’ Court.