19.09.2008

Further Moving Vehicle Warnings After Worker Loses Leg in Forklift Accident

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned employers they must have systems in place for ensuring pedestrians and vehicles can move safely in the workplace, after a Kirkby in Ashfield woman lost her leg when she was hit by a reversing forklift while working for a Derby company.

Northampton-based international distributors NYK Logistics (UK) Limited of Cheaney Drive, was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £5,941 costs at Derby Crown Court today after pleading guilty to contravening regulations 4(1) and 17(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

On 24 March 2006, at NYK's premises in Derby, 32-year-old administrative worker Lisa Ramos was carrying paperwork across a warehouse when she was struck by a 2.5 tonne forklift truck reversing out of a loading bay. The injuries sustained were so severe that she had to have her left leg amputated below the knee.

Andrew Turner, HSE Principal Inspector for Derbyshire, said:-

"Although the company had identified that pedestrians were at risk from moving vehicles, and taken some steps to try to minimise this risk, it had become commonplace for pedestrians to walk through areas where forklift trucks manoeuvred and reversed."

"Ms Ramos could have been killed as a result of this incident and has suffered a very serious injury, but it could have been avoided if NYK had taken a few simple measures such as ensuring Ms Ramos' duties didn't involve her having to walk across a vehicle loading area or putting barriers in place to prevent pedestrian access."

"Workplace transport is one of the biggest causes of fatal and major injuries at work. Employers must ensure that workplaces are organised so pedestrians and vehicles can move around the workplace safely. When employers have arrangements in place to ensure that vehicles and pedestrians can circulate safely, these arrangements must be monitored to make sure that they are effective."