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PHW · Forklift and plant · 2023-11-08

The Barcode Warehouse Ltd fined £500,000 after a worker was fatally trapped under an overturned forklift

Newark, Nottinghamshire · Nottingham Magistrates' Court

What happened

A worker operating a counterbalance forklift truck to move waste material struck a kerbstone and the vehicle overturned. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was found trapped under the roll cage.

Injuries: fatal

The breach

HSWA 1974 s2(1)

The sentence

  • Fine: £500,000
  • Costs: £7,040
HSE inspector

“This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a young man. Jamie's death could easily have been prevented if his employer had enforced the use of seatbelts.”

What would have prevented it

Enforce mandatory forklift seatbelt use through policy and supervision rather than leaving it to individual choice.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Operator training for plant hire companies and their customers

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Safety pack

Stone, Silica and Worktop Fabrication

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Safety pack

Vehicle marshal (banksman and reversing)

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Machine

Counterbalance forklift

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Quiz

When a machine goes out, does the hiring customer's operator have written authorisation on file?

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Source: HSE press release, Manufacturing company fined half-a-million pounds after forklift truck death