An Irish recycling company has been fined €650,000 following a fatal incident at its recycling plant in Finglas in 2021. The conviction was handed down by Dublin Circuit Court on 30 October 2025, and highlights the importance of training, supervision, and robust safety systems.
What happened?
On 18 August 2021, an employee at the Finglas-based recycling plant was operating a forklift when the vehicle overturned. According to the Health & Safety Authority (HSA), the worker was not properly supervised at the time and was not wearing the seatbelt provided. The HSA has also stated that the employee was not sufficiently trained.
The company in question pleaded guilty to two different charges:
- A breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, for failing to conduct work in a way that ensured the safety and wellbeing of its staff.
- A breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 for failing to produce a report after an examination of the relevant equipment.
What should employers learn from this case?
This case serves as a reminder to all employers of their Health & Safety responsibilities in the workplace. In particular, this case highlights the importance of training, supervision, and the consistent implementation of workplace safety systems.
If you are an employer in Ireland, here are some of the key takeaways you should note from this case:
- Training is essential in every business, particularly in high-risk settings where employees are operating heavy machinery. Any employee who engages in high-risk activities in the workplace should receive comprehensive training on a regular basis.
- Even those who are trained sufficiently should be supervised when engaging in high-risk activities or operating dangerous machinery.
- Safety equipment is not optional and must be used at all times. Employees should be trained and reminded to use seatbelts, harnesses and other protective equipment where appropriate.
- It is crucial to conduct regular risk assessments of your business, in order to assess and mitigate any potential workplace hazards.
Robust safety systems are crucial for protecting your business from the legal, financial and reputational damage of a workplace accident. Most importantly, however, these systems are in place to protect the safety of your employees.
Every workplace incident is one incident too many. If you have any concerns about your Health & Safety systems, don't forget that Peninsula is here to provide support.