Company fined after worker is crushed by car

A Liverpool motor vehicle repair company is fined after a car fell from a two-post car vehicle lift. Which fell onto a worker who was on his break.

The court heard how the man suffers multiple serious fractures in the incident at a garage. This took place in the Kensington area of Liverpool on 23 November 2022.

The 56-year-old, was working as a mechanic at the time. He was working on a vehicle which had been raised on a two-post lift. Neither swivel arm on one of the lifting columns was locked into position. As a result, the car fell from the lift, crushing him beneath and causing multiple serious fractures.

He was taken to Aintree Hospital, with a broken leg, three broken bones in his spine, five broken ribs and a broken pelvis.

Tip: HSE guidance on working safely under motor vehicles being repaired: Working under vehicles – HSE

The man spent four months in hospital because of his injuries. Almost two years later, he’s left highly dependent upon his wife, and others, to carry out even simple daily tasks. It is unlikely he will be able to work again.

Avoidable Incident- Failures of Safe System of Work

An investigation by the HSE finds they failed to put in place a safe system of work. Importantly, failures were found to sufficiently train staff, in the proper, and safe operation of the lifting equipment.

The company, of the Kensington area of Liverpool, finds guilty by the jury to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs at a hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on 25 June 2025.

After the hearing, HSE inspector David Bellis said:

“This is a very serious incident, and it is fortunate nobody was killed as a result.

“If the injured man should be suitably trained in the use of the two-post lift. In addition, if the company has suitable system of work in place and the swivel arms were positioned correctly and locked into place this incident would have been avoided.

“The HSE take all accidents seriously, especially those that could have been easily prevented. Therefore, will not hesitate to prosecute, whenever it is appropriate.”