Forklift Truck Overturn

Forklift trucks often seem really solid and stable. This can change when simple tasks are performed, such as driving across a slope, or manoeuvring with a raised load. As a result, some forklift truck overturn risks are ignored.

The Chorley based firm Staveley’s Eggs Ltd has been fined after a forklift truck overturned on a slope, trapping the driver. On 1 December 2018 an employee of the firm had been driving the forklift truck (FLT) at the company’s premises at Goosnargh Near Preston, when the truck overturned, trapping the driver between the truck and the ground. He sustained serious life-changing crush injuries as a result.

Investigating, the HSE found that the areas where FLTs were driven had significant changes in gradient which were not a suitable surface for the type of FLTs in use. The company failed to both identify and control the risk of forklift truck overturn.

Staveley’s Eggs Ltd of Coppull, Chorley pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company were fined £60,000 with costs of £4,259.42.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Steven Boyd commented: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by ensuring the area where FLTs were driven was free of slopes and damage, and that a suitable FLT was used for the site.”