Forklift fatality a tragedy

5 September 2006

A Gisborne wood products manufacturer has been ordered to pay $40,000 to the family of a worker killed a year ago, when the forklift he was operating tipped over.

The 25-year old had been employed as a machine operator at Double J Smallwoods for more than two years, and was certified to operate forklifts. On the day of the fatal accident last September, the worker was operating a forklift that was overloaded with timber, causing it tip over and crush him.

A Department of Labour investigation found the company had several forklifts available with different loading capacities. On this occasion, the worker had been authorised to use a forklift with a maximum load capacity of 1900kg to transport a 2-tonne packet of timber. The forklift did not display a load capacity chart.

The Department prosecuted Double J Smallwoods Ltd for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of the employee. The company pleaded guilty last week and was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay reparations of $40,000 to the man’s parents and his young daughter.

Health and safety manager for Hawkes Bay Murray Thomson said the company had a “casual” approach to health and safety. The forklifts were not well-maintained, the ground surface the worker was operating on was full of potholes, and load capacity charts were missing.

“The decision to allow the worker to use a piece of machinery unsuitable for the job, in less than ideal working conditions, had tragic consequences,” Mr Thomson said.

“These pieces of machinery are very unforgiving when things go wrong, so it’s absolutely vital that the right tools are selected for the job, and that the tools – whether they’re machinery, plant or equipment – are in good working order.”

To the journalist: please note that health and safety services formerly referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred to as the Department of Labour.