Two UK companies has been ordered to pay GBP104,000 (USD185,265) after a forklift truck overturned, killing the driver.

Welwood Roofing Services has been fined GBP50,000 (USD89,015) plus costs due to the health and safety breaches which led to the incident.

A second company, Building Research Establishment, has being fined GBP17,500 (USD31,176) plus GBP12,000 (USD21,378) in costs for its role in the accident.

The accident occurred when the employee was manoeuvring a forklift he was not trained to use.

Richard Shore, managing director of Mentor Training, says the accident could have been avoided if the companies had followed the recommendations of Health & Safety Executive guidance.

"An accredited training course for a novice counterbalance truck operator will take three to five days to complete," he comments.

Shore says forklift-training courses are very accessible. "There is a wide choice of training organisations - from one-man bands to larger companies offering a nationwide service.

"The lead time (from booking to delivery) is normally seven to 14 days and in 99% of cases, the instructor travels to the customer site so that delegates are trained in the environment in which they will operate and on the equipment they will be using."

He adds this accessibility makes training quick, available and very cost-effective for the employer.

Shore comments he not is sure why companies do not invest in training for their workers.

"They probably think that saving money on training will make their business more successful," he says. "Nothing could be further from the truth, as training not only reduces damage to loads, buildings and equipment, it also saves lives and means that operations are done efficiently and safely."