The UK Material Handling Association is set to stage its most ambitious and hard-hitting health safety scenario to date, courtesy of a courtroom drama which will shine a spotlight on safety breaches in the workplace.
As part of the Conference at IMHX on September 10th, an unprecedented line-up of legal experts and industry leaders will comprise ‘The Mock Trial,’ which will demonstrate how the law responds when there is a life-changing accident involving a forklift.
Among the high-profile speakers confirmed is Austin Welch, one of the UK’s most respected junior barristers specialising in public inquiries, inquests, and health and safety law. Welch has played key roles in some of the country’s most complex and high-profile cases, including the Manchester Arena Inquiry and the Hillsborough Inquests.
He will be joined by Marta Tomlinson, Legal Director at Kennedys, who brings years of experience advising clients under investigation from the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, and other enforcement authorities. Tomlinson is a regular advocate in the Magistrates’ Court and Coroner’s Court and is renowned for her ability to cut through complex legal arguments with clarity.
Together with Clare Bottle, CEO of the UK Warehousing Association, and Stuart Taylor, Managing Director of Mentor Training, the expert panel will bring to life a gripping scenario that demonstrates how a serious workplace accident involving material handling equipment could play out in court.
‘The Mock Trial’ will not only expose the legal ramifications for businesses but will also drive home the personal consequences for those injured and those found responsible. Rob Fisher, Chief Executive of the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA), co-hosts of IMHX, said the scenario is intended to highlight how breaches of health and safety protocols can impact individuals and businesses:
“Too often, the risks associated with health and safety breaches are seen as abstract until tragedy strikes. Through this mock trial, we want to bring home the reality in the most powerful way possible. By creating the drama of the courtroom, with the support of some of the most authoritative voices in the legal field, we are confident the message will leave a lasting impression.”
The IMHX Conference takes place from September 9 to 11 at the NEC, Birmingham, with the UKMHA hosting a safety morning, including The Mock Trial, on Wednesday 10th September. Visitor registration is now open, with free entry available for professionals from warehousing, distribution, supply chain, e-commerce, retail, and manufacturing sectors.
