A UK shipping company has been fined GBP146,700 (USD197,209) following an accident where a yard worker suffered life-changing injuries after being hit by a forklift at its Aberdeen Harbour premises.

The HSE (UK Health and Safety Executive) explains its investigation found Streamline Shipping Agencies Limited failed to ensure adequate separation between pedestrians and vehicles during loading and unloading operations. The accident happened in September 2024.

The 43-year-old victim was on foot, unclipping the curtain side of an articulated trailer, when the rear nearside wheel of a reversing forklift being driven by a colleague made contact with his right leg, pulling him to the ground.

HSE says as a result, the worker suffered multiple fractures to his right foot and lower leg, as well as a de-gloving injury. He underwent two surgeries and skin grafts and also required counselling because of the incident.

He has yet to return to work.

“While the company had a traffic management plan in place, it lacked the necessary detail to ensure that loading and unloading – which routinely took place concurrently in the same area – could be carried out safely without putting employees on foot at risk from moving vehicles,” HSE states.

“HSE concluded it was reasonably foreseeable that an employee on foot faced a risk of being struck by a moving vehicle when both the pedestrian and driver were concentrating on their respective tasks near each other.”

An Improvement Notice was issued to the company following the accident and Streamline made a series of improvements to its traffic management arrangements to the satisfaction of HSE.

“By law, employers must ensure traffic routes can be used without putting workers at risk,” HSE states. “Guidance on managing vehicle movements in the workplace is available on the HSE website.”

HSE Inspector Nicky Smith adds: “This was a serious and wholly avoidable incident that has had a profound and lasting impact on this worker’s life”.

“Employers have a legal duty to ensure that pedestrians and vehicles can move safely within their workplaces, particularly in busy areas where loading and unloading takes place.

“Having a traffic management plan is not enough if it does not contain the detail needed to protect workers on the ground.

“We will not hesitate to hold companies to account when they fall short of their obligations.”