Fork-lift Operator Fined for Death of Colleague
A fork-lift truck driver was fined following action by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Andrew Mason, of Sutton in Craven was prosecuted, following the incident which took place at a haulage company, in March 2006.
The court heard that Mr Mason allowed his colleague Mr Roberts to use the forks of the truck he was driving as a lift to access pallets on the deck of a two-tier lorry. Mr Roberts (48) slipped and fell from the fork-lift. Mr Roberts sustained serious injuries and died two months later in Hospital following complications.
The court was told that Mr Mason was as an experienced and trained fork-lift operative and should have known better than to allow anyone to stand on or near his machine while he was working.
Mr Mason pleaded guilty to breaching s.7 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 at Skipton Magistrates' Court and was fined £1500 with costs of £1000.
Section 7 of the 1974 Act covers the duty of employees to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other affected persons.
HSE Inspector Paul Yeadon stated:
"Mr Mason will forever live with the guilt of his momentary disregard for safety. Fork-lifts are extremely common and invaluable pieces of machinery. They are essential for loading and unloading, and are perfectly safe when used correctly. However, they also pose a serious risk if they are used for anything other than their intended purpose, or if operators fail to follow the required safe-working procedures."
Posted Date: 01st Jan 2010