Two Companies Fined After Employee Dies in Forklift Accident

8 june 2011

A worker’s death after being rolled and pushed nearly 20 metres by a forklift at Mt Maunganui has led to fines totaling $55,000 for two companies involved.

C3 Limited was fined $40,000 and Independent Stevedoring Limited was fined $15,000 at the Tauranga District Court.

The Department of Labour’s Bay of Plenty Service Manager Murray Thompson described the accident as horrific and preventable.

The incident happened at the Mount Manganui wharf on 21 June last year while nearly six tonnes of pulp paper was being moved from a shed to the wharf.

At the time of the accident an employee of Independent Stevedoring Limited, Brian Kevin Shannon was returning from his break when he was struck by the forklift being driven by an employee of C3 Limited. Mr Shannon was pushed and rolled by the forklift for about 17 metres before the forklift driver realised something was wrong and stopped. Mr Shannon died at the scene.

“This sentencing is a reminder to all employers of their responsibility to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees and any other person in the workplace,” Mr Thompson says.

“Practicable steps include developing and implementing a formal programme to regularly check employees’ high-visibility garments, and that forklifts are fitted with head lights that are visible over the top of the load being carried,” he says.

ENDS

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