The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have this month reminded businesses that operate forklift trucks of the steps that must be taken to safeguard against the dangers posed by such vehicles. The warning comes after Silvery Tweed Cereals Ltd was fined a total of £25,397 at Berwick upon Tweed Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to breaching both the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations SI 1999/3242.
The incident in question occurred at the company's Berwick premises on 29 June 2006 and involved a loaded forklift not being properly secured, with a suitable risk assessment not carried out and no training provided to employees. As a result, a 29 year old sustained injuries which have left him permanently paralysed after a downgrade bin which he was attempting to empty fell from one of the forks of the truck and pinned him to the ground. HSE inspector Martin Baillie said, "Employers must ensure they assess the risks involved in any use of these vehicles and take appropriate steps to counter those risks. They must also provide adequate health and safety training for any employees operating forklift trucks."
