Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has been hit with a £900,000 fine for health and safety breaches which saw a worker lose his leg following a car accident at one of its production lines.
In February 2015 a Range Rover Sport was being driven toward the start of a production line at Jaguar’s Solihull plant when the driver lost control and collided with the back of another vehicle, causing a four-car shunt.
At the same time, a worker was crossing the production line and was trapped between the second and third cars. As a result of his injuries, his right leg was amputated above the knee. Two other employees suffered minor injuries.
Consider reviewing your business insurance to ensure you are covered for professional indemnity, public liability, employers’ liability and other essential commercial combined insurance.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and found that the company did not ensure that the Range Rover driver, who was covering the shift, was familiar with procedures. The company has also failed to properly separate production line workers from moving vehicles.
Jaguar Land Rover were found guilty of breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and fined £900,000 and ordered to pay costs of £49,800.
HSE inspector John Glynn said: “A worker has been left with life changing injuries that were completely avoidable, it was only good fortune that prevented this from being a fatal accident.
“Jaguar Land Rover knew the risks of driving vehicles onto production lines and the possibility of shunt accidents, but failed to protect their workers.”
