Suffolk firm in court after worker suffers crush injuries

The 27-year-old, who does not wish to be named, was manoeuvring the vehicle with a clamp attachment in a raised position when it overturned and crushed him at Murfitts Industries' site in Lakenheath. The man suffered severe injuries and subsequently had to have his spleen removed so needs to be on permanent antibiotics. He has since returned to work at another company, but still suffers pain. The incident, on 27 September 2012, was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which prosecuted the company at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court. The court heard the injured worker – who was employed via an agency – had not received any formal training to drive the vehicle and was not wearing a seatbelt. The company had previously received enforcement action from HSE concerning its management of workplace transport, and as a result had provided training to their own staff but this had not extended to agency workers. Murfitts Industries, of Station Road, Lakenheath, Suffolk, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. HSE inspector Steven Gill said: "This injury could easily have been avoided had Murfitts Industries provided sufficient training and adequate supervision to make sure safety measures were in place, such as drivers wearing seatbelts. "Forklift trucks can overturn if manoeuvres are not carried out correctly and such risks are well known in the industry. That is why any driver using these vehicles must be provided with appropriate training. Murfitts knew the standard for training because they had provided it for their own staff, but failed to ensure that their agency workers were similarly trained when using the same equipment." http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/index.htm