An industry supplier has been prosecuted after a teenager on work experience was injured while unloading equipment from the back of a vehicle.

Radwell International Limited, of Dalewood Road, Lymedale Business Park, Newcastle under Lyme, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £86,666 with £12,143 in costs.

Stafford Crown Court heard how the teenager was asked to help unload a heavy electrical panel from the back of a lorry at the company premises on 15 December 2014.

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During the process, the victim was asked to steady the panel which had been placed onto a wooden pallet on the floor. However, the panel fell and trapped him on the ground across the forks of the forklift truck. His injuries included five compression fractures of his pelvis and a head injury.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the company had failed to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessment, training, supervision and communication.

HSE inspector Steve Shaw said: "This case highlights the need for companies to have in place safe systems iof work for all deliveries at their premises.

"Had such a system been in place, this teenager starting his working career need not have suffered the painful injuries he endured and this company would not have faced the judgement of the courts."

(LM/CD)