Car firm fined over hurt worker

A car parts company has been fined almost £6,000 after a worker was crushed in an accident in a workshop.

Trevor Rollin was left with multiple fractures after a tool rack collapsed on him at the International Automotive Components Group in Southwick.

The firm pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety legislation.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned companies not to take safety for granted after the hearing at Sunderland Magistrates' Court.

The firm was fined £3,200 and ordered to pay £2,600 costs after pleading guilty to the safety breach.

The accident happened at the company's premises in Wayfarer Road in Southwick on 16 August last year.

Mr Rollin, of Farringdon, became trapped after the rack collapsed while he was using an overhead crane to unload tools.

Risk management

He suffered multiple fractures, cuts and bruises, the hearing heard.

HSE Inspector Fiona MacNeill said: "Mr Rollin was lucky not to have been killed by the racking which overturned.

"Employers should learn a lesson from this incident - that the safety of work equipment cannot be taken for granted. Safety does not manage itself.

"Risk management is a proactive process and employers should assess and prioritise the more serious risks in their premises."