Encirc has been fined GBP500,000. PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM

The glass bottle firm Encirc has been fined GBP500,000 (USD643,000) over the accident at its Elton plant in December 2015.

Encirc was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive after an investigation into an accident which left a staff member with a broken arm.

According to The Chester Chronicle, Liverpool Magistrates Court heard the company had not put in place correct measures to ensure its workers were 'correctly segregated' from forklift routes.

The report quotes a company spokesman saying Encirc "is very sorry for the occurrence of the incident and for the harm caused to the employee concerned".

He says the company takes the health and safety of everyone at its sites extremely seriously and will continue to cooperate with the HSE to create the safest environment possible for workers.

Encirc had previously been served with an improvement notice because of poor segregation throughout their yard and warehouse in 2007.

The report also quotes HSE inspector Jane Carroll saying: "Poor segregation leads to accidents.

"There was a failure to properly plan work and this accident highlights the risks that are involved.

"Incidents relating to work place transport can be avoided if effective measures are taken."