Australia Post has been fined $160,000 in the Federal Court. PHOTO: FEDCOURT.GOV.AU

Australia Post has been fined $160,000 in the Federal Court over an incident which caused a worker to lose his leg after being crushed by a forklift.

The incident occurred in July 2008 at a Queensland mail delivery centre, where a contractor involved in loading mail was run over by a forklift.

He received severe crush injuries to his right leg which was later amputated at the knee.

Australia's federal work health and safety regulator, Comcare, alleges that Australia Post contravened federal work health and safety laws by failing to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety of its employees and contractors in relation to matters over which it has control.

Spokesperson Neil Quarmby says Comcare is focussed on working with employers and employees to prevent such safety incidents. "However, where warranted, Comcare will take court action to enforce the need for appropriate safety systems to be put in place for the protection of workers."