Suffolk firm fined after worker crushed by forklift

The 27-year-old, who does not wish to be named, was manoeuvring the vehicle with a clamp attachment in a raised position when it overturned and crushed him at Murfitts Industries Ltd’s site in Lakenheath.

The man suffered severe injuries and subsequently had to have his spleen removed so needs to be on permanent antibiotics. He has since returned to work at another company but still suffers pain.

 

The incident, on 27 September 2012, was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which prosecuted the company on the 24th April at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard the injured worker – who was employed via an agency – had not received any formal training to drive the vehicle and was not wearing a seatbelt. The company had previously received enforcement action from HSE concerning its management of workplace transport, and as a result had provided training to their own staff but this had not extended to agency workers.

 

Murfitts Industries Ltd, of Station Road, Lakenheath, Suffolk, was fined £17,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,985 after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 9(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

 

Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Steven Gill, said: "This injury could easily have been avoided had Murfitts Industries provided sufficient training and adequate supervision to make sure safety measures were in place, such as drivers wearing seatbelts.

 

"Forklift trucks can overturn if manoeuvres are not carried out correctly and such risks are well known in the industry.  That is why any driver using these vehicles must be provided with appropriate training. Murfitts knew the standard for training because they had provided it for their own staff, but failed to ensure that their agency workers were similarly trained when using the same equipment.”

 

For information about safe use of forklift trucks and vehicles at work, visit www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/index.htm