Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Ltd was fined GBP20, 000 (USD37,976) after pleading guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act in a Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court last week.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Goodyear Dunlop for failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of employees after a worker was injured by a falling pallet in June last year.

The operator was inspecting tyre casings when a forklift loaded with a four-high stack of unsecured heavy steel pallets toppled onto him, fracturing one of his ribs.

The court imposed a fine of GBP13,500 (USD25,628) with costs of GBP2,888 (USD5,483). The court also ordered the company to pay compensation of GBP4,000 (USD7,595) to the injured worker.

After the case, the HSE cautioned employers not to neglect their responsibilities to their workers and to ensure adequate protection measures are in place for forklift operations.

HSE inspector Amarjit Kalay says it is important individuals and employers remember their duties under the law to take reasonable care of the health and safety of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

"The injuries inflicted could have been significantly worse, or even fatal. Operators of forklifts must ensure that they operate them in accordance with training, and employers must ensure that they are used safely."