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HSE WM/395/08 7 April, 2008

HSE prosecutes forklift truck driver

Gerald David Wyatt, a forklift truck driver working at Eardisley Sawmills, Herefordshire has been prosecuted by HSE (Health & Safety Executive) following serious injuries caused to a colleague on 17th January 2007.

Wyatt pleaded guilty on Monday 7th April 2008 to failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of other persons under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 so Worcester Crown Court imposed a fine of £1,750.

The Court heard that Wyatt was driving a rough-terrain forklift truck while the forks were loaded with a stack of 12 modular sheds. As he moved forwards the load significantly obscured his vision and a fellow employee was struck by the load causing a fractured pelvis, cuts and bruises.

HSE’s investigating inspector Anne Robinson said:

"It is important that individuals are aware that they, as well as their employer, have duties under the law to take reasonable care of the health and safety of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. Mr Wyatt’s employer had employed an in-house forklift truck trainer and Mr Wyatt had received regular refresher training and re-testing.

"In this case his forward visibility was significantly obscured by the load and he could not see his colleague.  The injuries inflicted could have been significantly worse, or even fatal. Operators of lift trucks must ensure that they operate them in accordance with the training they have been given to prevent such tragedies.”

Notes to editors:

  1. HSE statistics highlight transport as the second biggest cause of work-related deaths, after falls from height. Every year, around 70 people are killed in transport-related accidents in the workplace and around eight of those involve Fork Lift Trucks. Of 2,249 reported accidents in one year, involving Fork Lift Trucks, 626 caused major injuries, including amputations and broken bones
  2. HSE published the latest annual work related fatal injury statistics on 26 July 2007 which can be viewed at:  www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm
  3. More guidance and advice is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm

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