Forklift truck horror
Forklift trucks are responsible for a significant number of workplace accidents and injuries every year.
This could be down to improper training, poor workplace layout and a lack of appropriate machinery maintenance.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, (HSE) there are around 8,000 forklift accidents reported every year.
It has been revealed that a worker at an Ollerton distribution centre has received 'substantial' damages after filing a work accident claim, because she was knocked down by a forklift truck.
The 45-year-old female, from Worksop, suffered serious personal injuries to both ankles from being crushed.
The work accident
The incident happened at the Clipper Group Warehouse and the victim needed surgery and treatment for stress and trauma.
It was exposed that the worker was picking up an order when the accident occurred and was trapped against some racking.
After the incident, she was taken to hospital where she underwent surgery to insert screws into one of her ankles, which had been fractured in the work injury.
The labourer also suffered from post-traumatic-stress-disorder and depression, which has left her unable to return to the factory and work.
Speaking about the incident and her condition, the victim said: "It has been a very difficult time for me since the accident, and I'm so pleased that the matter is now settled. I look forward to putting the accident behind me and trying to return to a normal life."
Lynne Parker, from the firm's industrial accident team, said: "The traumatic and nasty accident could have been easily avoided had the warehouse been organised to ensure that vehicles and pedestrians could circulate in a safe manner as set out by strict health and safety regulations."
An injury lawyer, from the claims company which successfully won the award, said businesses must ensure that safety requirements are met to avoid putting their staff in danger.
Man crushed by forklift
In similar news, a man was crushed to death by a forklift truck at a paper firm in Pontllanfraith.
The 60-year-old worker, who was from Ebbw Vale, died in the work accident at Moulded Paper Company on Newbridge Road industrial estate. In a cruel twist of fate, the victim had just return from a holiday.
An ambulance spokesman said they received a call at 11.59pm and were at the scene by 12.04pm. He added that the man was not taken to hospital because it was an industrial incident, but sent an ambulance and two paramedics to the scene.
A spokesperson for South Wales Fire Rescue Service confirmed that they received a call at 12.02pm and needed to use specialist equipment to lift the truck off the man.
Pontllanfraith councillor Malcolm Park said: "This is the second time this week that there has been a death in the area. It's bad enough to happen once but an even bigger blow to the community for a second tragedy, particularly if he was from Pontllanfraith. It's an awful, tragic thing in this day and age to die in work, especially with the heightened health and safety."
HSE Inspector Mhairi Lockwood said: "One of the key messages that HSE is keen to express is the importance that workplace transport is planned and managed effectively at all stages throughout the construction project.Workplace transport is an HSE priority topic as it is one of the major causes of fatal incidents and major injuries."
"All companies must assess the risks when pedestrians and vehicles, such as forklift trucks work in close proximity and take appropriate precautions which are well documented in HSE guidance," she concluded.
Updated on 8/12/2009