A worker at a Woodville welding and fabrication company lost three toes after his foot was crushed by falling metal, a court has heard.
Swadlincote Aluminium and Welding Co has been fined after Nicholas Jenkin's foot was broken when a one-tonne metal grid slipped through the forks of a forklift while he was painting the metal truck wash grids.
Mr Jenkin suffered a broken foot and had three toes amputated. He is still undergoing hospital treatment for his injuries.
In a case brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Chesterfield Magistrates' Court was told of the incident on December 15, 2016.
An investigation by the HSE found that Aluminium and Welding, based at Suttons Business Park, had failed to properly plan the task or ensure the forklift driver had received adequate training to fully operate the vehicle.
The court heard that the company had also failed to ensure a safe system of work was in place, such as the use of a sling on the forklift truck, which would have stopped the metal grid from slipping through the forks.
Swadlincote Aluminium and Welding Co pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The company was fined £4,400 and ordered to pay costs of £860.40.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David Keane said: "This injury could have easily been prevented had thorough planning been carried out.
"Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from injury while operating fork lift trucks."
