Derbyshire-based NYK Logistics has admitted to breaches of health and safety legislation that left a worker badly injured at its plant. Appearing before South Derbyshire magistrates over infringements of the safety rules at its Findern plant, the court heard that employee Lisa Ramos was knocked down and run over by a reversing forklift truck while she was in the plant.
As a result she had a leg amputated and is currently in a wheelchair.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecutor
Melvin Sandell said: "Ms Ramos had been walking across the loading dock. She was wearing her issued safety shoes and a high-visibility vest. She had got halfway across the dock when she was struck from behind by the forklift truck. She was knocked to the floor and the truck rode onto her left leg."
Mark Diggle, speaking in defence for the company, said that since the accident in 2006 an additional £38,000 had been spent on upgrading safety at the plant.
He said: "There was a system for the separation of forklift trucks and persons and there were full risk assessments. But of course, what has happened in this case is the system wasn't properly enforced."
The company will return to court at a later date for sentencing. Following the case Ian Veitch, chief executive of NYK Logistics, said: "NYK deeply regrets the incident and the injury suffered by Miss Ramos."
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