The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a forklift operator after his colleague slipped and fell from the forks of the vehicle and later died.

In March 2006, both men were working at haulage company Joda Freight, of Riparian Way, Crosshills in Yorkshire.

Operator of the forklift Andrew Mason allowed his colleague Francis Roberts, 48, from Bradford, to use the forks of the truck he was driving as an impromptu lift to access pallets on the second deck of a two-tier lorry. Mr Roberts fell and sustained serious injuries. He spent two months in hospital in Leeds but never recovered and died at St James’ Hospital in Leeds from the complications of his injuries.

On Friday (04/12/09) at Skipton Magistrates’ Court, Andrew Mason, of The Poplars, Sutton in Craven pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.

Mr Mason was an experienced forklift operator and should ‘have known better’ than to allow his colleague to use the vehicle in this way, the court was told.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Paul Yeadon said that Mr Mason ‘will forever live’ with the guilt of his ‘momentary disregard’ for safety.

‘Forklifts are extremely common and invaluable pieces of machinery,’ said Mr Yeadon. ‘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.

‘We hope that this tragic incident will serve as a lesson to all employers and employees who work with or near forklifts.’

© 5r1 Limited 2009