07.09.2008

HSE to prosecute Plymouth City

The UK Health and Safety Executive is taking Plymouth City Council to court following the death of an employee while using a forklift as a work platform in February last year.

It is prosecuting the council for five breaches of health and safety regulations including failing to ensure the safety of employees and failing to provide proper training.

Rory Littley, 22, had been standing on the raised forks of the forklift so he could reach and untie wheelie bins stored on the back of a truck. The forklift lurched forward and he was crushed between the vehicles. A coroner’s inquest returned a finding of death by misadventure.

Plymouth City Council has entered no plea to the five charges and will stand trial on 2 October.