The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned companies to manage transport in the workplace after a man was killed when his forklift truck was obstructed in its path, toppled over and crushed him.
Trackline (International) Ltd of 9 Spencer Parade, Northampton was today fined £7,500 and ordered to pay £6,690 costs at Lincoln Crown Court.
The company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in failing to provide a safe system of work, including factory organisation and load handling arrangements for the operation of forklift trucks.
The prosecution comes after an incident at the company's site in Pinfold, Bourne on August 1, 2007 where the company assemble earth-moving equipment.
31-year-old company employee Shaun Porter was moving a large steel assembly from one end of the factory to the other. A large vehicle frame was protruding into the unmarked gangway and he decided to raise the forks over the obstruction to make room for his vehicle to proceed.
On realising that he would hit the frame, colleagues shouted for him to stop in his tracks. Shaun braked but his load struck the frame causing the truck to spin round and overturn.
An official post mortem concluded that Mr Porter died when his internal organs were crushed.
Shaun tried to jump out of the truck but it caught him as he fell, landed on the top of him, killing him instantly.
HSE found there to be a lack of marked out access ways and gangways and no way of assessing size or weight of loads. Employees were found to be moving around in unofficial routes with no official gangway.
HSE inspector Jo Anderson said:
"If vehicles including forklift trucks are to move around in the workplace it is vital that clearly marked gangways are in place and that the risks arising from the loads being carried are controlled.
"Today we have heard how a death could have been avoided. Companies must understand the importance of managing transport in the workplace in order to prevent a tragedy like this happening again in the future."
Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to provide a safe system of work, including factory organisation and load handling arrangements, for the operation of forklift trucks.
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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR East Midlands.
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office who act as HSE's Press Office throughout Great Britain.
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