A construction director has been fined following a workplace incident involving improper lorry reversing, causing severe injuries to an employee.
- In November 2022, the director of Peter O’Hare Ltd struck a worker with a lorry while reversing at the company’s premises, according to the HSENI.
- Peter O’Hare was found guilty of failing to ensure employee safety, violating the Health and Safety at Work Order.
- The negligence resulted in a £12,500 fine after O’Hare admitted to his oversight in court.
- HSENI highlights the critical importance of workplace safety measures in preventing such incidents.
The incident occurred in November 2022 when Peter O’Hare, both a director and worker at County Down-based Peter O’Hare Ltd, inadvertently reversed a lorry into one of his employees, resulting in “serious crush injuries.” This alarming event transpired at the company’s premises as efforts were underway to retrieve a stuck forklift truck on uneven ground.
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) conducted an investigation and found that O’Hare neglected to exercise reasonable care for the health and safety of his employees. Critically, he failed to ensure that others were in a safe location as he reversed the lorry within the yard. Such oversights are indicative of a broader safety management failure.
It was emphasised by the HSENI that suitable and sufficient checks, which were not performed, could have prevented the accident. In court, O’Hare pleaded guilty to breaching Article 8 (a) of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, underlining his responsibility in the matter.
On 8 July, the Craigavon Crown Court imposed a £12,500 fine on O’Hare, reflecting the severity of the incident and the oversight that led to it. The company, known for handling refurbishment, improvement, and maintenance works across varied sectors, reported a turnover of £12.7 million for the year ending 31 March 2023.
Following the hearing, HSENI inspector Sophie Pearson emphasised that the incident was entirely preventable. She stressed the necessity of implementing effective workplace transport controls, along with adequate training and clear communication. The regulator stands firm in its commitment to enforcing safety regulations rigorously.
This case underscores the pivotal importance of adhering to safety regulations to prevent avoidable workplace accidents.
