Newsletter #389 (View other news stories)
Forklift fun causes permanent injury
Benalla, Victoria, Australia
Thursday, 4 Dec 2008
An employer has been fined after a young worker suffered a serious injury from a forklift when he and another worker were "horsing around" at work.
The incident occurred in April last year when the two young workers were returning from a break. One jumped onto the outside of a forklift while the other man shot water at him from a fire hose.
As the forklift driver tried to keep away from the water, the 17-year-old rider either jumped or fell from the machine and was run over by the forklift.
His leg was broken and required two permanent pins to be inserted.
Benalla hardwood sawmilling company Ryan and McNulty pleaded guilty to two health and safety charges relating to its failure to provide and maintain a safe workplace and failing to report the incident to WorkSafe.
Benalla Magistrate Paul Smith ordered a comprehensive package of requirements on the company under new ‘alternate penalty’ provisions allowed under Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
As part of its Court undertaking, Ryan and McNulty Pty Ltd issued a media release urging other businesses to improve safety standards and the company will take part in a briefing to other businesses.
The company’s director, Greg McNulty, will do a five-day Occupational Health and Safety course within 12 months, and the company will provide $40,000 to the Goulburn-Ovens Institute of TAFE (Benalla) for safety equipment in timber industry and OHS training programs.
The company will also develop and implement a comprehensive induction program for its own use. The plan will cover plant and forklift safety; employee safety requirements; the role of supervisors; management of contractors and labour hire employees.
All forklift operators will do refresher training.
The worker with the fire hose, 18 at the time, was prosecuted in August.
He pleaded guilty, was convicted and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond. He was ordered to do a Certificate 1 TAFE course in Transport and Storage or another course agreed to by WorkSafe within 12 months.
Forklifts are among the most dangerous machines in Victorian workplaces, having been involved in 56 deaths in the state since 1985.
Director of WorkSafe’s Manufacturing, Logistics and Agriculture Division Ross Pilkington says the penalties should send a clear message to employers and workers to ensure safety standards were maintained.
"Health and safety failings can result in prosecution and convictions which can have serious short and long-term effects, as well as the potential for injury and death.
"Young and inexperienced workers are particularly vulnerable. The young often have a sense that ‘it can’t happen to me’, but the reality is that it can, and does."
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