Media Release

6 May 2010

The Department of Labour has warned of the dangers of forklifts after the sentencing today of meat company Silver Fern Farms Ltd for an employee being run over by a forklift driver who couldn’t see where he was going.

Silver Fern Farms was fined $34,000, with reparation of $8,500, in the Dargaville District Court after being prosecuted by the Department under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

It had admitted failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of an employee – specifically, that the employee was not exposed to hazards arising from the use of forklifts in the workplace.

The incident happened at Silver Fern Farms’ Dargaville plant in April 2009.

The employee was walking in a freezer when he was hit from behind by a forklift carrying a 10-carton-high pallet of packed meat. The Department’s investigation showed the height of the load impeded the driver’s view and contributed to the incident.

The employee’s hip and thigh were fractured. He was in hospital for three weeks and has only recently returned to full-time work.

Department of Labour Northern Regional Manager John Howard says Silver Fern Farms should have enforced the code of practice for training forklift operators.

This includes ensuring forklift drivers have a clear view ahead by reducing the pallet size or, if this is impracticable, ensuring they drive in reverse.

The code also says that if forklifts are operating in an area where driver vision is obstructed, employee and other pedestrian access to the area should be restricted.

Mr Howard says Silver Fern Farms has since implemented these steps.

“Forklift accidents in the workplace are, unfortunately, all too common.

“As forklifts are often used in confined spaces, it is especially important that employers ensure they do all they can to protect others who may be working in the same area.  They’re extremely useful vehicles, but that usefulness can easily come at a price in terms of injury.”

ENDS

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.

 

For further information contact the DoL media line on 0274 422 141 or e-mail media@dol.govt.nz