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PHW · Forklift and plant · 2026-05-12

Winbro Group Technologies Ltd fined £170,000 after a fitter's hand was trapped under a dropped machine

Shepshed, Leicestershire · Leicester Magistrates' Court

What happened

An experienced machine tool fitter's right hand became trapped beneath a three-tonne machine during a forklift lifting operation. The forklift forks unexpectedly dropped to the floor while the worker's hand was underneath the machine.

Injuries: two fingers amputated

The breach

Regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

The sentence

  • Fine: £170,000
  • Costs: £7,999
HSE inspector

“Every year, a significant proportion of accidents, many of them serious and sometimes fatal, occur as a result of poorly planned lifting operations.”

What would have prevented it

Lifting operations involving heavy machinery must be properly planned so that no part of a worker's body is ever placed beneath a suspended or supported load.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Operator training for plant hire companies and their customers

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Machine

Counterbalance forklift

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Quiz

When a machine goes out, does the hiring customer's operator have written authorisation on file?

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Source: HSE press release, Machine manufacturing company fined after employee's fingers crushed during lifting operation