On 20th May 2008, a 64-year old delivery driver arrived at the site to unload a trailer of empty cans, and as he walked along the lines in the canning hall to find a space to deliver his load he was struck by a forklift truck, fracturing his foot and left wrist.
Approximately 6 months previously an HSE official had visited the site and alerted the company to shortcomings in the safety of their workplace transport system but nothing was done to remedy this. Molson Coors admitted breaching S.2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and r.3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 for which it was fined £31,000 with £33,042 costs.
The second industrial accident occurred on 30th June when several thousand litres of caustic soda solution escaped from a pipeline, some of it spraying out from a faulty valve that 3 maintenance contractor employees were repairing, causing injuries ranging from temporary blindness and 25% burns to scars and continuing skin sensitivity. Their personal protective equipment was inadequate, they had visors but the overalls provided by the company permitted the caustic chemical to soak through.
Investigation further revealed that the men were inadequately instructed, an HSE official commented: “All companies must manage contractors properly and make sure that they are following health and safety procedures. They must also carry out proper risk assessments for any work that contractors are required to carry out.” Molson Coors admitted breaching S.3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £14,000 plus £43,674 costs.
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