News Article

Untrained operator is paralysed following forklift accident


Posted by Chris Owen | Date Posted 09.08.2007 | Time Posted 10:35:43 | Views: 538

forkliftA heavy bin toppled from the forks of a forklift truck, crushing its untrained driver and paralysing him from the waist down.

Berwick upon Tweed magistrates heard on 12 June that mill operator Steven Rogers, 29, of Berwick, had been asked to drive a forklift truck – even though he had not been trained to do so – to move a heavy metal bin of downgrade material balanced on the forks.

HSE inspector Martin Baillie, who investigated and prosecuted the case, said that once in the downgrade store, the employee tried to yank open the slide at the bottom of the bin, which was stuck shut, so that it could be emptied. As he did so, the bin dropped off the forks on top of him.

He sustained major crush injuries, which led to him being paralysed from the waist down and confining him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Cereal product manufacturer Silvery Tweed Cereals pleaded guilty to breaching s2(1) of HSWA 1974 by not ensuring the safety of Mr Rogers, and to a breach of reg.3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 by failing to assess the risks to his health and safety. It was fined £16,000 on the first charge and £4000 on the second, and ordered to pay full HSE costs of £5397.

Inspector Baillie said "The firm did not ensure the load was adequately secured, nor did it make a suitable risk assessment or ensure that all of its operators received adequate forklift truck training."

He added: "Forklift trucks were responsible for just under 2000 reportable incidents last year, including seven deaths."

"They are a potential danger to their operators and to other people in the vicinity if not operated with great care. The risks include being struck by a moving truck, crushed by an overturning vehicle, becoming trapped between a truck and an object, or, as in this case, being crushed by a falling load."

"Employers must ensure they assess the risks involved in any use of these vehicles and take appropriate
steps to counter those risks. They must also provide adequate health and safety training for any employees operating forklift trucks."


Published in sections: Health and Safety ::

Does this article apply to you or your workplace? Email or call to learn more, we’re happy to help.