Insider Media Limited

Molson Coors Brewing Company, based in Burton-upon-Trent, has been ordered to pay out more than £64,000 after a delivery driver was hit by a forklift truck while on site, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said.

Cannock Magistrates' Court heard how Peter Jackson was hit by the truck at Molson Coors' Station Street site while unloading a trailer of empty cans on 20 May 2008.

The HSE said while finding a space to deliver his load, Jackson was struck by a forklift truck which trapped his left leg. His foot and left wrist were both fractured and he has not been able to return to work since the incident.

The HSE said an investigation found the business had failed to follow previous advice to devise and implement a safe workplace transport system after a HSE inspector visited the site in December 2007.

Molson Coors pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £31,000 and ordered to pay £33,042 costs by Cannock Magistrates' Court.

HSE inspector Lyn Spooner said: "This incident occurred because of inadequate risk assessments, poor management and monitoring of contractors, and managers failing to understand their responsibilities for health and safety.

"Not only had poor workplace transport arrangements persisted over many years, but Molson Coors also failed to follow previous advice from HSE. As a result, Mr Jackson was seriously injured in an incident that could easily have been fatal.

"It is particularly disappointing to see such failings at a large company, which has the resources to deliver much better standards."