Irish Packaging Recycling Unlimited Company pleaded guilty to two charges under safety, health and welfare legislation in relation to the work-related fatal incident which occurred at the company’s recycling plant on 18 August 2021.

The deceased, who was insufficiently trained, was operating a forklift truck at the recycling plant when it overturned. There was no supervision in place at the time of the incident and the deceased was not wearing the seatbelt provided on the forklift truck.

The company admitted breaching section 8(1) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 by failing to manage and conduct work activities in such a way as to ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of an employee.

It also admitted breaching Regulation 53(1)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 by failing to ensure the preparation of a report following the examination of equipment by a competent person.

At Dublin Circuit Court last week, Judge Martin Nolan imposed a fine of €650,000 on the company in relation to the breach of the 2005 Act. The second charge was taken into consideration.

Mark Cullen, chief executive officer of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), said: “This tragic incident highlights the critical importance of appropriate training, supervision, and the use of safety equipment when operating machinery.

“Employers have a legal and moral duty to ensure that work activities are planned, organised, and carried out in a safe manner.

“The failure to provide adequate training and supervision in this case had devastating consequences.

“I recommend all employers to review their safety procedures and ensure that they are compliant with health and safety legislation to prevent devastating incidents such as this one.”