Arthur Weston was struck by the factory vehicle at the operation’s base in Long Crendon on 9 August 2018 while he was bending down to pick up a piece of broken wood.

The Health & Safety Executives’s investigation found that there was inadequate separation of forklifts and pedestrians on the site and that the unit where Weston worked was in an unsuitable area next to the traffic route. The company was fined £10,000 plus £2,560 legal costs following the hearing at Reading Magistrates Court.

Inspector Stephen Faulkner said: “The company failed to undertake a number of simple safety measures including segregation of reversing vehicles, from employees.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Boxes and Packaging (Oxford) is part of the wider Boxes and Packaging group, which spans 10 locations in England and Scotland including Birmingham, Bristol, Doncaster and Dumbarton. It provides services related to corrugated boxes, promotional and visual packaging, and packaging materials.

Oxford managing director Jonathan Lewis told Printweek: “The company regrets that this incident occurred and has taken steps to prevent reoccurrence.”