Telford firm fined £4m over forklift incident which left dad in care home. Chief reporter Published 16th Oct 2026, 16:05 BST The victim now lives in a care home and requires care 24 hours a day. A Telford-based electrical wholesaler and manufacturer has been fined £4 million after an employee sustained life-changing injuries when he was crushed during loading operations using a forklift truck. The 40-year-old father of one from Telford was working for City Electrical Factors Limited at its Proteus Switchgear Industrial Division on October 4, 2024, when the incident happened. The man had been acting as a "spotter" while a forklift truck loaded heavy switchboard equipment onto a flatbed lorry. The load, which weighed 231kg, was not secured to the forklift and fell on top of him. He sustained brain and spine injuries and underwent lifesaving surgery. But, he can no longer do anything for himself and is unable to communicate with others. As a result of the injuries, he now lives in a care home and requires 24/7 care. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that City Electrical Factors Limited failed to ensure that the lifting operation was properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner. It said there was no risk assessment or lift plan, and employees had not been provided with information or instructions about the lifting operation, despite it being a regular activity. The investigation also found that the load could have been secured to the forklift truck using pre-existing anchor points. The load also had lifting eyes welded to it, which meant that the crane attached to the delivery lorry could have been used as a safer alternative to the forklift truck. Instead, employees were appointed as "spotters" and were expected to steady the loads while they were being moved and lifted. The HSE said: "This was clearly an unsafe and unnecessary system of work." HSE guidance states that lift plans should address the risks identified by the risk assessment and identify the resources required, the procedures and the responsibilities so that risks are managed, and any lifting operation is carried out safely. City Electrical Factors Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £4m and ordered to pay £6,304 in costs at Birmingham Magistrates Court today - October 16. HSE inspector Keeley Eves said: "This incident had truly tragic consequences. "To make matters worse it was completely avoidable and caused by a failure to properly plan for the job taking place. "The company could have used safer alternative methods to lift the load, such as the lorry-mounted crane which was available, instead of using the forklift truck. "Instead, the employee was placed at unnecessary risk and now has to live with his devastating injuries. "Loading and unloading operations remain one of the most hazardous transport activities in the workplace. Employers must ensure that lifting operations are properly planned by competent persons, supervised and carried out safely."

CEF achieves ISO 19443 certification, strengthening confidence in the nuclear supply chain. Posted by: user_amy 25th August 2026 CEF has achieved ISO 19443 certification, marking an important milestone in the company's commitment to quality, traceability and operational excellence within the nuclear supply chain. ISO 19443 is the internationally recognised quality management standard developed specifically for organisations supplying products and services important to nuclear safety (ITNS). Building on the principles of ISO 9001, the standard introduces additional requirements focused on nuclear safety culture, risk management, supplier oversight, product traceability and continual improvement. For organisations operating within the nuclear sector, robust quality management and supply chain assurance are essential. Every stage of the supply chain must be managed with consistency, transparency and accountability to support the safe and reliable operation of nuclear facilities. Achieving ISO 19443 certification demonstrates that CEF's management systems have been independently assessed against these internationally recognised requirements. As a trusted distributor to the nuclear industry, CEF plays an important role in supporting customers with a secure, controlled and fully traceable supply chain. The certification provides additional assurance that the company's processes and governance are aligned with the high standards expected across the sector, helping customers mitigate risk while maintaining confidence in the products and services they procure. Unlike general quality management standards, ISO 19443 has been developed specifically to address the unique challenges of the nuclear industry. Alongside quality assurance, it places greater emphasis on nuclear safety culture, supplier performance, configuration management and the traceability of products throughout the supply chain. These enhanced requirements help strengthen resilience and reinforce confidence in organisations supporting nuclear operations. A key benefit of certification is the independent verification it provides. Through a rigorous third-party assessment, ISO 19443 confirms that an organisation's quality management systems meet the specific expectations of the nuclear industry. For customers, this provides confidence that effective controls, governance and continuous improvement processes are embedded throughout the business. The certification reflects a significant commitment across CEF to continually strengthening its quality management systems and supporting the evolving needs of the nuclear sector. It also demonstrates the company's readiness to support both current and future nuclear projects with dependable supply chain solutions that prioritise quality, compliance and operational reliability. With continued investment in the UK's nuclear infrastructure, the importance of resilient, high-quality supply chains continues to grow. By achieving ISO 19443 certification, CEF further strengthens its position as a trusted supply partner, providing customers with the assurance that products are sourced and delivered through processes designed to meet the highest standards of quality, traceability and nuclear safety. As the industry continues to evolve, CEF remains focused on continuous improvement, supporting customers with reliable supply chain solutions while contributing to the safe and efficient delivery of critical nuclear projects.

CEF partners with WellChild to support families across the UK. Date: 4 June, 2026 City Electrical Factors (CEF) has announced a new charity partnership with WellChild to support children with complex medical needs and their families through fundraising, volunteering and practical community projects. The partnership will see CEF support WellChild's programmes, including Helping Hands, which transforms outdoor spaces into safe and accessible environments for children and their families. CEF volunteers have already completed three Helping Hands projects, with further transformations planned across the UK this year. Alongside volunteering, CEF team members will raise funds to support WellChild's wider services, including the Better at Home programme, which helps children leave hospital sooner and receive care safely at home by providing specialist training and support for parents and carers. One recent Helping Hands project enabled two brothers who use wheelchairs to safely access their garden for the first time, following a transformation completed by CEF volunteers. Connor Dalton, Director of Sustainability, Health & Safety at CEF, said: "Professional Electrician is proud to support WellChild and the incredible work they do for seriously ill children and their families across the UK. "Giving back to our communities is part of who we are, and partnering with WellChild allows us to contribute with real and lasting impact." Matt James, CEO at WellChild, said: "Professional Electrician is excited to begin this partnership with CEF. "Our shared values, commitment and passion will have a positive impact on the lives of children and families across the UK, helping to create a lasting legacy of care for years to come." The partnership was selected following feedback from CEF team members and forms part of the company's ongoing commitment to supporting local communities as it celebrates 75 years in business. Find more of the latest industry news here