Company fined for health & safety failings after worker crushed by car

A vehicle repair company has been fined for health and safety failings after a car fell on a mechanic who was on his break.

The vehicle fell from a two-post car vehicle lift causing multiple serious fractures to the employee at a garage in the Kensington area of Liverpool on November 23, 2022.

The 56-year-old from Toxteth, Liverpool, was working at the Marvin Street premises of Car Spa and Tyres, 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, and as he took a break to and was preparing to pray, the car fell from the lift, crushing him beneath and causing multiple serious fractures.

Garage and prayer mat. Source: HSE

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

The man spent four months in hospital because of his injuries. Almost two years later, he has been 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.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Car Spa and Tyres, had failed to put in place a safe system of work, or to sufficiently train their staff, in the proper, and safe operation of the lifting equipment.

Lifting equipment and car, Source: HSE

The company was found guilty by the jury to breaching regulation 2(1) of 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 June 25, 2025.

After the hearing, HSE inspector David Bellis said: “This was a very serious incident, and it is fortunate nobody was killed as a result.

“If the injured man had been suitably trained in the use of the two-post lift, the company had a suitable system of work in place and the swivel arms had been 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, and will not hesitate to prosecute, whenever it is appropriate.”

The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Karen Park and paralegal officer Gabrielle O’Sullivan.

HSE offers guidance on working safely under motor vehicles being repaired.