A ready meal maker has been fined by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) after stacked food trays collapsed and fatally struck an employee.

The worker was helping re-stack a pallet of empty trays when the column – which was 44 cases high – was knocked towards him by a second pallet being delivered by forklift.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to sufficiently segregate the forklift and employees.

Bakkavor Foods Limited admitted breaking the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 – by failing to provide a safe system of work in the tray storage area.

It was fined £176,000.

Unsafe system

The HSE said the tragedy was ‘wholly avoidable’ and that it was caused by the company’s failure to implement a safe system of work.

The risk was said to be ‘further amplified’ by the failure to undertake safety measures including segregating vehicles and employees.

Find what you were looking for?

Our FREE resources library contains over 200 searchable blogs, guides and templates focused around Employment Law and Health & Safety issues that employers face on a day-to-day basis.

Get your FREE download

We combine the service quality of a law firm with the certainty of fixed-fee services to provide expert, solutions-focused Employment LawHR and Health & Safety support tailored to employers.

Call us on 0345 226 8393.

Get your FREE download

We combine the service quality of a law firm with the certainty of fixed-fee services to provide expert, solutions-focused Employment LawHR and Health & Safety support tailored to employers.

Call us on 0345 226 8393.

Get your FREE consultation

Submit your details and one of our team will be in touch.

Get your FREE consultation

Submit your details and one of our team will be in touch.

Search...

Get your FREE consultation

Submit your details and one of our team will be in touch.

Get your FREE consultation

Submit your details and one of our team will be in touch.

Before you go…

We can help with that HR problem or health and safety query. If you’re an employer, leave your details below and our team will call you back.

Register your interest

Submit your details and one of our team will be in touch.

Get your FREE consultation

Submit your details and one of our team will be in touch.

Download your FREE guide

Submit your details below.

Request a callback

Submit your details and one of our team will be in touch.

Need some help?

Call our team now on:

0345 226 8393

Request a Callback

Submit your details and one of our team will be in touch.

Request a Callback
Hi, how can we help?
Click the button below to chat to an expert.

Get your FREE consultation

Submit your details and one of our team will be in touch.