A court has ordered a railway maintenance company to donate AUD30,000 (USD22,404) to charity after a workplace accident saw a forklift driver crushed to death by an overturned forklift.

Rail Technical Support Group (Australia) Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to two counts of failing to provide a safe workplace. A part-time labourer was killed on January 15, 2003, Australian Associated Press reported.

Judge Peter Gebhardt ordered the company to pay AUD15,000 (USD11,202) to the Royal Children's Hospital Fund and AUD15,000 (USD11,202) to the Cambodian Community Welfare Centre. He adjourned the case without conviction for three years.

In sentencing, the judge said he was satisfied Rail Technical was not a delinquent company. "It was an accident arising from inadvertence rather than a negligent failure to adhere to safe systems."

The court heard that the driver was trying to crush 44 gallon (193.8 litre) drums to place in a bin when he drove the forklift over an uneven part of railway line.

The driver jumped out as the forklift became unstable but was crushed to death beneath the overhead guard when the forklift overturned.