Fork Lift Truck Death

A fork lift truck death costs cash and carry nearly £200,000.

A cash and carry wholesaler was fined £175,000 plus costs of £18,455 after a member of staff was killed at their site in Avonmouth. The victim was fatally wounded after she walked through the “Goods In” area of the site. The fork lift truck driver had not seen her as he reversed when loading goods onto a lorry. The victim was trapped under the truck and later died of her injuries. It was found that there were no designated walking areas to protect pedestrians from moving vehicles, nor did it require staff to wear high visibility clothing.

Bristol Crown Court viewed CCTV footage from the previous month showing fork lifts working close to pedestrians in the area and further investigation revealed the company had not providing proper training and instruction on pedestrian safety. The risk assessments were inadequate and not suitable for the Goods In area or the protection of pedestrians. Such an event, resulting in a fork lift truck death, is foreseeable in such a workplace and should be protected against.

The company admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.